Climate Justice and Climate Negotiations
Climate Justice and Climate
Negotiations
Background
In June 1992 the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
(UNFCCC) was opened for signature at the UN Conference on Environment
and Development (usually referred to as the 'Earth Summit'). It came into
force on March 21st, 1994. Australia was the ninth country to ratify the
convention, in December 1992. Today, 180 governments and the European
Community are Parties to the Convention. To become a Party, the country
must ratify (i.e. have it enter into force legally in their country through
legislation). Parties meet regularly at annual Conference of Parties (COP)
to review the implementation of the Convention and continue talks on how
to best combat climate change.
The Convention sets an "ultimate objective" of stabilising atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases at "safe levels". The "safe" level is not quantified by the Convention, which also states that this level should be achieved within a time frame sufficient to:
- allow ecosystems to adapt naturally to climate change;
- ensure that food production is not threatened; and to
- enable economic development to proceed in a sustainable manner.
To achieve this objective all countries have a general commitment to address climate change, adapt to its effects and report on the action they are taking to implement the Convention. The convention then divides countries into two groups: those listed in its Annex I (known as 'Annex I Parties') and those that are not so listed (so-called 'non-Annex I Parties').
Equity in the Framework
Convention on Climate Change
The principle of equity is enshrined in the UNFCCC. The Annex I parties
are the industrialised countries which have historically contributed the
most to climate change. Their per capita emissions are higher than those
of most developing countries, and they have greater financial and institutional
capacity to address the problem. The principles of equity and 'common
but differentiated responsibilities' (Article 4) therefore require these
parties to take the lead in reducing emissions.
Articles 4.8 and 4.9 address the specific needs of least developed countries (see box).
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Article 4.8 |
more on Climate Justice and Climate Negotiations;
background
the Kyoto Protocol
Implementation and other issues
