COP 17, Durban, summary of the first week

Friday, 09 December 2011

The first week of negotiations at the COP 17 started last Monday 28th November and intended to prepare the negotiations by presenting a draft decision on each sub-group of negotiations to be further agreed on week 2.

According to NGOs this first week has been sound and very smooth. The main points have addressed both the Kyoto protocol second commitment and climate financing. No-one is surprised at the expected positions of the negotiating parties and once again the main issues have centered around Annex I countries (countries that historically emit high levels of Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHG)) especially the USA and leading developing countries (like China, India and Brazil).

Kyoto Protocol

The talks have been dominated by the fate of the Kyoto Protocol (KP), which expires next year in 2012. Expectations are high, especially for the least developed countries, as the protocol represents the only legally binding agreement in action which commits Annex I (A1) countries to reducing their emissions.

Tensions have continued between developing countries on the one hand, who are willing to maintain the protocol, and some other A1 countries that continue to oppose a Kyoto extension if no additional countries accept binding rules on emissions. This means that the USA won’t move forward if China (the second biggest emitter to date) is not willing to join. There are even rumors suggesting that Canada could leave the existing protocol and is lobbying other countries to follow suit...

Perhaps the most significant development for the week however, was the emergence of the BASIC group (Brazil, South Africa, India and China) as a formal negotiating bloc. Hopes were raised last Thursday, when China said that it would be open to talks on a Kyoto extension.

Financing: The Green Fund,

Under the LCA area of negotiation, the main discussion centered around various technical aspects, with emphasis on financing adaptation and mitigation through the green fund. This new fund was agreed in the COP 16 in Copenhagen, but since then, this fund remains an empty shell. As the Kyoto Protocol is unfortunately likely to fail to progress to a second commitment period (after 2012), the mitigation argument is losing ground to the adaptation lobby. However, adaptation will require substantial funds. The most vulnerable countries, such as Laos, Cambodia and most African countries need financial support to reduce their vulnerability to Climate Change effects. Hence this green fund needs the legal framework and adequate mechanisms to transform former pledges into action. Nonetheless, it is hoped significant progress will be possible, despite some reservations from several countries such as the US and Saudi Arabia.

The second week welcomed the official delegations (ministers and presidents) who have the hard job to give their final approval and reach an agreement. Each country will make a statement, Lao PDR will be represented by Mr Akham Tounalom, Vice Minister of Natural Resources and Environment on Thursday, 8th at afternoon time.

Adaptation: NAPs (National Adaptation Plans)

At the end of the first week, the chair sensed progress towards an agreement and asked parties to consider draft conclusions (FCCC/SBI/2011/L.36). Noting that the entire text would remain bracketed, he suggested bringing the issue to the attention of the COP President. Parties agreed to this approach.

Generally speaking, most eyes look at mitigation rather than adaptation, letting developing countries on a voluntary basis action.

LULUCF (Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry):

In afternoon informal consultations, delegates discussed a revised non-paper by the co-facilitators. On definitions, a party discussed his proposal on a definition on forests, noting that this would introduce a comprehensive vision of forests as systems of life that have multiple functions. One party noted that changing the definition of forests for a second commitment period could bring difficulties in terms of implementation and accounting. A group of countries presented their revised baseline proposal to account for forest management. Parties will continue working on the text until Monday and any additions will be integrated into a new revised version of the non-paper.