Citizens for Global Solutions

HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT | UN Climate Change Conference

WORLD MOVES FORWARD ON CLIMATE CHANGE

A landmark UN conference on global climate change concluded in Montreal on December 9 with a series of agreements that will serve as the foundation for future international progress. The agreements were reached despite efforts by the United States delegation to block progress at every opportunity.

Though countries meet every year to consider progress under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), an agreement that includes the United States but which does not require any commitments, this year's meeting had special significance because it also served as the first meeting of the Kyoto Protocol's member countries. The United States is not a member of the Protocol, which includes concrete commitments to reduce greenhouse gas pollution.

During the conference's first week, Kyoto members adopted the Marrakech Accords, a comprehensive rule system for the Kyoto Protocol. Though the Accords had been negotiated years ago, obstruction by Saudi Arabia and confusion over minute details had delayed their adoption. The passage of the Marrakech Accords effectively means that the Kyoto Protocol is in full working order.

During the conference, all eyes were on the working group considering "future commitments," or new targets for reducing greenhouse gases. Ultimately, the working group created a great deal of momentum toward these new targets. The group's work led to an "open-ended ad-hoc working group on future commitments." That means that, instead of only considering these new commitments at the annual conference or even periodically, rich countries will engage in a continuing, official dialogue to conclude a new set of commitments as soon as possible.

In addition, the UNFCCC reached a decision as well. Since the UNFCCC includes the United States, which vowed to block any new talks on climate change, the decision is a tremendous achievement. Only after President Clinton addressed the conference, the U.S. delegation threatened to walk out of negotiations, and other countries pressed on with talks did the group finally reach an agreement to start a new dialogue. However, thanks to the Bush administration, the agreement explicitly states that no future commitments will result from the dialogue.

Meanwhile, as nations struggled to reach consensus, municipal leaders adopted a stunningly ambitious set of new commitments. Recognizing that their constituents would feel the effects of climate change, these mayors and local leaders agreed to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2020 and 80% by 2050. By taking action in the absence of federal action, local officials are determining their nation's identity in the world - a first in history.

In agreeing to the new targets, the leaders cited an International Youth Declaration on climate change; like local leaders, youth are also taking bold, concrete steps to combat climate change in their communities. Throughout the conference, youth, indigenous groups, marginalized communities, and faith groups stood side by side with environmental organizations to advance their common vision of a sustainable world with a stable climate.

Updated December 15, 2005

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