The Copenhagen AccordThe Copenhagen Accord

Imagine you’re President Imagine you’re President ObamaObama

““The fate of my country rests The fate of my country rests in your hands”in your hands”

Copenhagen Accord Copenhagen Accord • History of International Agreements History of International Agreements

on Climate Changeon Climate Change

• Commitments/Requirements under Commitments/Requirements under the Copenhagen Accordthe Copenhagen Accord

• Current status & Next Steps of the Current status & Next Steps of the AccordAccord

Climate Change – IPCC 2007 Climate Change – IPCC 2007 ReportReport““Warming of the climate system is Warming of the climate system is

unequivocal.”unequivocal.”

History of International History of International Agreements on Climate Agreements on Climate ChangeChange• 19881988: : formation of the IPCCCformation of the IPCCC• 19921992: : Adoption of the United Nations Adoption of the United Nations

Framework on Climate Change (UNFCCC)Framework on Climate Change (UNFCCC)• 1997: 1997: Adoption of the Kyoto protocol to Adoption of the Kyoto protocol to

the UNFCCCthe UNFCCC • 20052005::Kyoto Protocol enters into forceKyoto Protocol enters into force• 2007: 2007: Bali Road MapBali Road Map• 2009: 2009: Conference of the Parties 15 & Conference of the Parties 15 &

Copenhagen Accord Copenhagen Accord

United Nations Framework United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Convention on Climate Change - 1992- 1992• Objective: stabilize greenhouse gas (GHG) Objective: stabilize greenhouse gas (GHG)

concentrations to prevent anthropogenic concentrations to prevent anthropogenic climate interference.climate interference.

• Common but differentiated responsibilityCommon but differentiated responsibility

• GHG emissions inventoriesGHG emissions inventories

• Return to 1990 emissions levels by 2000.Return to 1990 emissions levels by 2000.

• But no quantitative limitsBut no quantitative limits

• Annual Meetings – Conference of the PartiesAnnual Meetings – Conference of the Parties

Kyoto Protocol - 1997Kyoto Protocol - 1997

• Legally binding emissions targets for Legally binding emissions targets for developed countriesdeveloped countries

• Entered into force - 2005Entered into force - 2005• Reduce GHG emissions 5% by 1990 Reduce GHG emissions 5% by 1990

between 2008 and 2012.between 2008 and 2012.• Cap and TradeCap and Trade• Carbon offsetsCarbon offsets• US is NOT a partyUS is NOT a party

Bali Road Map - 2007Bali Road Map - 2007• Conference of the Parties 13Conference of the Parties 13

• ““Bali action plan”Bali action plan”

• Adopt post Kyoto international Adopt post Kyoto international agreement by COP 15 (Copenhagen; agreement by COP 15 (Copenhagen; December 2009).December 2009).

Copenhagen Accord –Copenhagen Accord –“an important first step”“an important first step”

• Negotiated among five countries: Negotiated among five countries: US, China, India, South Africa, and US, China, India, South Africa, and Brazil.Brazil.

• ““Politically binding”Politically binding”

• UNFCCC “took note” of the UNFCCC “took note” of the AgreementAgreement

Commitments - MitigationCommitments - Mitigation

• Acknowledges that temperatures Acknowledges that temperatures cannot exceed 2 degrees celsiuscannot exceed 2 degrees celsius

• Developed Countries: Quantified Developed Countries: Quantified economy-wide emissions reductions economy-wide emissions reductions targets for 2020 due January 31, targets for 2020 due January 31, 2010.2010.

Requirements - Requirements - communicationcommunication

• Registry of mitigation actions, Registry of mitigation actions, technology, financial, and capacity technology, financial, and capacity building support.building support.

• National GHG inventory reports every National GHG inventory reports every 2 years.2 years.

Commitments- FinancingCommitments- Financing

• Green climate fund for adaptationGreen climate fund for adaptation– $10 billion a year from 2010 to 2012$10 billion a year from 2010 to 2012– $100 billion a year by 2020$100 billion a year by 2020

• No discussions about where the No discussions about where the money would come from and where money would come from and where it would goit would go

Commitments – Technology Commitments – Technology MechanismMechanism

• Accelerate technology developmentAccelerate technology development

• Transfer technology in support of Transfer technology in support of adaptation and mitigation for adaptation and mitigation for developing countries.developing countries.

• No discussion of transfer No discussion of transfer mechanismsmechanisms

Commitments - REDDCommitments - REDD• Recognizes crucial role of REDD: Recognizes crucial role of REDD:

“Reducing Emissions from “Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Deforestation and Forest Degradation“ Degradation“

• Deforestation is responsible for 20% Deforestation is responsible for 20% of GHG emissionsof GHG emissions

• Weak on details Weak on details

Current Status/next stepsCurrent Status/next steps• 55 countries signed on (80% of GHG 55 countries signed on (80% of GHG

Emissions)Emissions)

• US – 17% below 2005 (only if US US – 17% below 2005 (only if US legislation is passed).legislation is passed).

• China and India – “endeavor” to reduce China and India – “endeavor” to reduce carbon intensity (40% and 20% carbon intensity (40% and 20% respectively)respectively)

• EU – 5% below 2000 and 20% below 1990.EU – 5% below 2000 and 20% below 1990.

• Many other nations’ commitments are Many other nations’ commitments are “conditional”“conditional”

Current Status/Next StepsCurrent Status/Next Steps• Assessment of the implementation of Assessment of the implementation of

Copenhagen accord in 2015.Copenhagen accord in 2015.

• International community still lacks International community still lacks binding post Kyoto agreementbinding post Kyoto agreement

• COP 16 – Mexico; December 2010COP 16 – Mexico; December 2010

Questions?Questions?• History of International Agreements History of International Agreements

on Climate Changeon Climate Change

• Commitments/Requirements under Commitments/Requirements under the Copenhagen Accordthe Copenhagen Accord

• Current status & Next Steps of the Current status & Next Steps of the AccordAccord