COP16

The 16^th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, COP 16, opened on 29^th November 2010 in Cancún , Mexico and continued until 10^th December. One hundred and ninety three countries sent representatives to the talks. Progress was made in Cancún (in contrast to Copenhagen in 2009) as governments attending the talks approved a set of decisions which anchored national mitigation pledges and took initial steps to strengthen finance. The major achievement of COP 16 was that essential elements of Copenhagen Accord were  formalised and imported into the UNFCCC. Bolivia was the only country that objected to the Cancún Agreements. However, there was no binding agreement for further cuts to GHG emissions. This highlights the international disagreements on this issue and puts more pressure on the next Conference of Parties in Durban, South Africa in late 2011 to deliver a follow-up agreement to the Kyoto Protocol which will expire in 2012.  

At COP 16 there was disagreement from the outset about the future of the Kyoto Protocol. Japan , in particular, stated that it was not prepared to sign up to second phase of the agreement (post-2012) unless developing economies such as India and China also made firm commitments to cut GHG emissions. However, towards the end of the talks, Russia and Canada emerged as the countries most opposed to a post-Kyoto treaty. This division between developed and developing countries over cuts in emissions emerged as a major theme of COP 16.

The United Nations Climate Change Conference.

Key Outcomes of Cancún

Finance

At COP 15 in Copenhagen, a Green Climate Fund was created, with developed nations pledging new funds of $30 billion for 2010-2012.This Fund would provide fast-start financial aid to developing nations to help them mitigate and adapt to climate change and halt deforestation. Additionally, developed nations pledged to provide further funding of $100 billion a year by 2020 for mitigation and adaptation projects in developing countries.

At COP 16 the financial structure of the Green Climate Fund, which will provide finance and technology to developing nations for mitigation and adaptation projects, was formally established.   The Fund will also manage the €100 billion pledged by developed nations post-2012. Under the Cancùn Agreements, the Fund will be governed by a 24-member board, with equal representation by both developing and developed nations.   

(REDD+) Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation

This agreement supports efforts by developing nations to prevent deforestation and to regenerate forests.Trees are a vital store for CO₂ and reforestation helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. REDD+ will also halt degradation and enable sustainable forestry programmes to be initiated. However, the funding mechanism for REDD+ remains unclear. This is another outstanding issue for COP 17 in Durban .

Adaptation

The Cancún Adaptation Framework was established to boost adaptation efforts by all nations. An Adaptation Committee, which will provide support to countries and enable them to share adaptation best-practice and information, was also formed. The committee will advise the Conference of Parties on adaptation-related matters.  

Mitigation

Although no further targets for emissions reductions were agreed to in Cancun, developing nations agreed to take nationally appropriate mitigation actions (NAMAs) which would be supported by finance and technology. Developed nations were also encouraged to increase emissions reduction targets to levels recommended by the IPCC Fourth Assessment Report.