The International Climate Treaty Negotiations
Global warming is a worldwide problem, so we need international agreements to reduce global emissions
In 1992, countries from around the world, including the United States, signed the United Nation's Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)—an international treaty addressing the issue of global warming. Under the UNFCCC, governments formally share information about global warming emissions and programs to reduce those levels.
However, the UNFCCC only encouraged reductions in global warming emissions, it does not require them. So, in 1997, at a meeting in Kyoto, Japan, the UNFCCC was strengthened by an amendment that set legally binding targets and timelines for reducing global warming pollution from developed nations. The "Kyoto Protocol" entered into force in 2005 and has been ratified by all industrialized countries—except the United States.
The Kyoto Protocol expires in 2012. Therefore, a new framework of deeper emission reductions needs to be developed and approved.
What will happen in Copenhagen this December?
Starting on December 7, 2009, negotiators, environmental ministers, and officials from around the world will gather in Copenhagen, Denmark, for the 15th Conference of the Parties (COP) to the UNFCCC. The goal of this meeting is to determine the next steps in addressing climate change internationally after the Kyoto Protocol’s first reduction period ends in 2012.
The COP is the highest body of the UNFCCC and consists of environment ministers who meet once a year to discuss developments in the Convention. This will be the culmination of a series of negotiation sessions in which delegations from around the world have been bringing ideas and working out compromises for the next treaty. During these negotiation sessions, the delegates from around the world are working together to create text that all parties can agree upon in December. The U.S. delegation of negotiators consists primarily of State Department experts but also includes relevant staff from other federal agencies.
According to Yvo de Boer, executive secretary of the UNFCCC, the four essentials that must be negotiated for an effective international agreement in Copenhagen are:
- The amount industrialized countries will reduce their global warming pollution.
- The actions major developing countries such as China and India will take to limit the growth of global warming pollution.
- Funding to help developing countries engage in reducing their global warming pollution and adapting to the impacts of climate change.
- Management of the funds.
The negotiations and the treaty provide the United States with an excellent opportunity for renewed world leadership on clean technology, energy conservation, and global security. Moreover, international cooperation towards addressing climate change will provide additional opportunities for U.S. businesses that are focused on clean technology to thrive from exports. If the U.S. continues to make progress towards a strong domestic national climate policy simultaneous to the international process, other countries of the UNFCCC will be encouraged to join the efforts towards reducing emissions. To learn more about how the United States domestic climate legislation can effect the international climate treaty negotiations, see the International Climate Treaty and U.S. Legislation (in Related Articles).
Who will be in Copenhagen?
There are currently 192 countries signed on to the UNFCCC and taking part in the negotiations. More than 15,000 officials, advisers, diplomats, campaigners, and journalists are expected be in Copenhagen this December, joined by heads of state. Many members of the U.S. Congress and other officials will attend.
The Union of Concerned Scientists sends international policy experts and scientists to these negotiation sessions to provide expert knowledge to both the U.S. delegation and to delegations from other countries. We work with other non-governmental organizations to ensure that the treaty text is strong and includes the most up-to-date science. Non-profit organizations, such as UCS, influence the negotiations in ways similar to how we influence Congress. For example, UCS often hosts presentations that educate the negotiators on the latest science. Another common practice is attending official meetings with delegations during which the NGO community shares the concerns and requests of citizens and scientists on key issues and the need to address climate change.
