Climate Change discussions in Durban

Global commitments have been delivered during the Conference of the Parties (COP 17) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change held in Durban, South Africa. All 195 States (thus including Brazil, China and India) agreed on a roadmap drawing up a legal framework by 2015 for climate action by all countries, and to be implemented from 2020. In addition, an agreement was reached on a 2nd commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol which will run from 1 January 2013. The 2nd period targets and the rules regarding the carryover of surplus emission rights from the 1st period will be decided at the end of 2012.

Regarding amendments to the Kyoto Protocol, these necessitate the approval of at least three quarters of the Parties present. Nevertheless, although the Protocol is applicable to all parties, it does not call for comparable actions and thus developing nations can request common but differentiated responsibilities. An ad hoc Working Group will be established in 2012 to deal with this, with the entry into force of the agreement in 2020. Regarding the potential impact on the EU’s climate change policy, as no international agreement has been reached, the outcome of COP17 has not triggered a change of the EU’s emission targets to -30%. Nevertheless, the Directorate General for Climate Change (DG CLIMA) will consider further restricting the availability of certified emission reductions (CERs). In addition, concerns still remain regarding the potential impact of climate policy on the EU’s competitiveness.

More information: Commission Press Release