On Sunday, December 11, 2011, the United Nations Climate Framework Convention on Climate Change reached a tentative agreement to maintain efforts towards international mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions. A number of important arrangements were agreed to as a result of the discussions last week in Durban, South Africa.
The talks ended with all parties in agreement that every country, no matter how large or small, or rich or poor would cut its greenhouse gas emissions under a pact with “legal force”. While the language sounds meek, it is the first time in the history of the convention that all parties have been in agreement. As a result they will develop an accord by 2015 that will become an “outcome with legal force” by 2020.
An agreement was also made amongst the participants of the Kyoto Protocol to continue efforts towards meeting emission targets in advance of the protocol officially expiring at next year’s meeting. This arrangement was important to avoid a “commitment gap” while a new agreement involving developing nations is written.
Perhaps the most important developments as a result of the Durban talks was the establishment of the Green Climate Fund, a $100 billion fund to support mitigation and adaptation efforts in developing countries. While this program had been in the works for some time, it was officially launched in Durban. One of the goals of the International Solid Waste Association’s (ISWA) delegation to this conference was the inclusion of solid waste management programs under the Green Climate Fund. ISWA reports that they were successful in having waste management specified as a nationally appropriate mitigation commitment in the final text of the ministers. This is the first time that waste management sector has been recognized as a climate change mitigation instrument by the United Nations Convention.
For more information on the ISWA Delegation, please go here.