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Introduction to
UNFCCC and Kyoto
Protocol
Jan Hasselman
May 2013
A Global Problem Needs a
Global Solution
Who is responsible?
Or….
The Montreal Protocol
Leading up to UNFCCC
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Climate Change Recognized in late 1970s
1988: UN Creates IPCC
1988: Toronto Statement
1990: First IPCC Report
1990: UNFCCC Negotiating Committee
1992: UNFCCC Signed at Rio “Earth Summit”
ARTICLE 2 - OBJECTIVE
“[S]tabilization of greenhouse gas
concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that
would prevent dangerous anthropogenic
interference with the climate….”
“[A]chieved within a timeframe sufficient to
allow ecosystems to adapt naturally… to ensure
that food production is not threatened and to
enable economic development to proceed in a
sustainable manner”
ARTICLE 3 - PRINCIPLES
• Introduce concept of equity and “common but
differentiated responsibilities”
• Special consideration for parties that are
“particularly vulnerable”
• Precautionary principle
• Balance GHG commitments with sustainable
development.
ARTICLE 4 – COMMITMENTS
• Duties applicable to ALL parties
- Inventories of GHGs
- Formulate and implement “programs
containing measures to mitigate climate
change” including both emissions and sinks
- Adaptation
- Promote, cooperate, consider etc.
ARTICLE 4 – COMMITMENTS
• Duties applicable to Annex I Parties
-Adopt policies to reduce GHGs and protect
sinks
-Parties “shall communicate…detailed
information…with the aim of returning…. to
1990 levels of emissions”
-Introduces concept of “joint implementation”
of targets.
-a “certain degree of flexibility” for transitional
economies
Article 4: Financial Assistance
• Developed country parties “shall provide new
and additional financial resources” to assist in
meeting obligations
• Also for adaptation
• How much? When?
ARTICLES 7-11: Architecture for
Ongoing Negotiations
• Sets up “Conference of Parties”
• Exchange of science and implementation
information
• Huge amount of data coming in.
Concluding Thoughts
Runup to Kyoto
Article 2 - Policies
-Energy efficiency
-Protection and enhancement of sinks
-Sustainable agriculture
-Research on alternative energy
-Removal of incentives
-Transportation
Article 3 – Emissions Reductions
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Mostly 7-8% reduction below 1990 levels
Only Annex I Parties
Used Five-year reporting period: 2008-12
Counted forests and sinks towards targets
Kyoto’s Flexibility Mechanisms
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“Bubbles”
Emissions Trading
Joint Implementation (JT)
Clean Development Mechanism (CDM)
Developing Countries: Article 10
• Takes into account “common but
differentiated responsibilities”
• Improve data collection
• Implement programs containing measures to
mitigate and adapt to climate change.
Other Issues
• Managing massive amounts of information
• Expert review teams
• Noncompliance: Article 10
U.S. Fails to Ratify….
Last Words…
• World just passed 400 ppm CO2 mark.
• Next implementation period critical
• Significant warming inevitable - - impacts
unknown