http://www.iol.co.za/dailynews/kyoto-protocol-lives-on-1.1196449
After two weeks of tense negotiations at the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change's 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17), governments have come to several decisions, including the continuation of the Kyoto protocol, and a more active Green Climate Fund.
On Sunday, the EU agreed to continue the Kyoto protocol beyond 2012, but only if other governments, including major carbon emitters from developed and developing countries, agreed to negotiate a new legally binding treaty with deeper emission cuts by 2015.
The continuation of the Kyoto protocol during this new negotiation phase means the provisions of the existing emission reduction treaty will also continue, providing some benefit to the climate.
Under the Kyoto Protocol's Clean Development Mechanism, governments adopted procedures to allow carbon-capture and storage projects. These guidelines will be reviewed every five years to ensure environmental integrity.
However, the new round of Kyoto seems to fall short of what was expected with loopholes that weaken it.
If proper action is not taken, farmers in parts of Africa could face a drop in crop yields of more than 50 percent within this generation, and food prices could more than double within the next two decades.
Durban has also seen developments to the Green Climate Fund, which aims to raise $100 billion by 2020. Several countries have pledged to contribute to start-up costs for the fund, meaning it can be made ready by 2012, and at the same time can help developing countries get ready to access the fund, boosting their efforts to establish their own energy futures and adapt to existing climate change.
Governments also agreed on a 16-member Adaptation Committee, which will report to the COP on its efforts to improve the co-ordination of adaptation actions on a global scale. National Adaptation Plans will allow developing countries to assess and reduce their vulnerability to climate change, and the most vulnerable will receive better protection against loss and damage due to extreme weather conditions.
Governments agreed on a registry to record developing country mitigation actions that seek financial support. According to a statement released by the UNFCCC yesterday, the registry will be a flexible, dynamic, web-based platform.
COP17 president and SA Minister of International Relations and Co-operation Maite Nkoane-Mashabane applauded delegates for their accomplishments. "You were prepared to show the required political will to move this process forward. It is without any doubt in my mind that we have worked together to save tomorrow today."
