UNFCCC Update: Durban and Canada’s Kyoto Participation both come to a close
December 19, 2011
After two weeks of climate talks in Durban, South Africa, a deal was reached to negotiate a comprehensive climate agreement by 2015 and if ratified, have it come into force by 2020. Other goals, such as building upon the Cancun Agreement, were also accomplished. Despite these developments, there is criticism that the Durban Platform is delaying action that needs to be taken now and will not have enough legal force once ratified. The Government of Canada stated it is pleased with the outcome of the conference and is optimistic that a treaty can be reached by 2015. Canada has since withdrawn from the Kyoto Protocol.
The 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Framework on Climate Change sought to advance the implementation of the Kyoto Protocol, the Bali Action Plan, agreed to at COP13 in 2007 and the Cancun Agreements, reached at COP16 in 2010. Some countries, including Canada, signalled disenchantment with the Kyoto Protocol since it does not require developing countries, even large emitters such as China and India, to reduce GHG emissions. Kyoto was to be a first step to show leadership by developed countries with greater historical responsibility and therefore Canada’s objections are seen as disingenuous by some.
In Durban, European negotiators wanted to create a new, legally binding treaty but language they proposed had to be softened to appease certain countries. The Durban Platform, which will be negotiated by 2015, will theoretically bind all 194 countries. The stabilization of CO2 pollution in developing countries could be essential in delaying climate change so this is a welcomed development. However, it is still unclear how much “legal force” this agreement will have or the emission goals that will be set. Though some are referring to this as a “landmark deal”, others feel that not enough has been done. Bill Hare, Director at Climate Action Tracker, states that “There are still no new pledges on the table and the process agreed in Durban towards raising the ambition and increasing emission reductions is uncertain in its outcome”. The International Union for Conservation of Nature has stated that the target date of 2020 for a complete climate accord is too far away and that more urgent action is needed.
Apart from this new climate change platform, aspects of the Cancun Agreement were also strengthened, including rules for a new climate fund, the formation of an international network of technology centers, a scheme to avoid deforestation and means to increase the transparency of countries involved in reducing emissions. Management of the Green Climate Fund, which will scale up over the next 8 years and provide $100 billion US annually to help developing countries adapt to climate change, was high on the conference agenda and further details of the fund were fleshed out, although more work is needed to fully operationalize the fund.
Canada’s role within these talks has been questioned, with the Pembina Institute stating, “Canada is coming into these talks in a very weak position and is not poised to contribute much in the way of positive solutions”. At the Durban Conference, Canada argued that the Kyoto Protocol is not where the solution lies and had stated that it would not renew their commitment to Kyoto when it expires next year. Instead, Canada has set a target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 17% over 2005 levels by 2020 and the Harper government has stated that it wants to keep targets in line with the US. Based upon the outcome of the Durban Conference, the Minister of Environment Peter Kent is pleased with the platform and is optimistic that a new climate treaty can be reached by 2015. Even though the Platform accounted for a second commitment period under Kyoto, Canada has consistently stated it was not going to be party to a future commitment period and captured further global-interest hours upon returning from the Durban Conference, when Kent formally announced Canada’s withdrawal from the Kyoto Protocol. The Canadian Government stated that complying with the obligation to reduce emissions by 6% from 1990 levels would require billions of dollars of spending, something the Government could not support in the current economic circumstances.
We must end on a somber note: Kyoto is the first international agreement that the Government of Canada has officially withdrawn from – ever. It is unfortunate that our Government could not prioritize this agreement and find a way to continue to support it, and comply. Hopefully Canada will return to the international negotiating table in future years and show renewed ambition and leadership in constructively addressing this most pressing global issue.
Blog post by Steph Vanthof and Laura Zizzo