Module 2
Introduction to the International Legal and
Policy Framework to Address Climate
Change
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Learning Objectives
2
1. Describe the main aims and
provisions of the UNFCCC and its
Kyoto Protocol
2. Identify the main organizations
and bodies that operate under the
UNFCCC and its Kyoto Protocol
By the end of the
module
participants will be
able to:
4. Analyze key points relevant for a
post 2020 climate change regime
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3. Explain why the UNFCCC and its
Kyoto Protocol are important to
developed and developing countries
Module 2: Introduction to the International Legal and
Policy Framework to Address Climate Change
Overview
3
OVERVIEW
Section 1
Section 2
Section 3
Section 4
Section 5
The Climate
Change Policy
Framework
Provisions of
the UNFCCC
The Kyoto
Protocol
Main Issues
and Negotiation
Streams
Towards a Post2020 Regime
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Module 2: Introduction to the International Legal and
Policy Framework to Address Climate Change
Section 1
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The International Climate
Change Policy Framework
Module 2: Introduction to the International Legal and
Policy Framework to Address Climate Change
The Need for a Global Approach to
Climate Change
5
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Climate change is a
global problem and a
common concern to
mankind
GHG emissions
contribute to climate
change irrespective
of their origin
All countries will be
affected if no action is
taken
A global agreement is
needed to regulate
emissions and help
countries to adapt
Section 1: The International Climate Change
Policy Framework
What is the UNFCCC ?
6
A framework convention
setting out basic
obligations of all Parties to
combat climate change
Currently has 195 Parties,
including 194 states and
1regional organization
United Nations
Framework
Convention on
Climate Change
Signed in 1992 in Rio and
entered into force in 1994
Article 3.1 stresses the
principle of equity and
common but differentiated
responsibilities
List of members: UNFCCC
Website
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Section 1: The International Climate Change
Policy Framework
Why is the UNFCCC important ?
7
Source: [Link]
Source: UN CC:LEARN
Source: Flickr/Kris kKug
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Source: Jan Golinski/UNFCCC
Section 1: The International Climate Change
Policy Framework
NGO Campaign in the Run Up
to
8
Copenhagen Climate
Conference
Video: Song Beds Are Burning Tcktcktck - Time 4 Climate Justice
Campaign
Further info: Time for Climate Justice
Website
URL: [Link]
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Section 1: The International Climate Change
Policy Framework
Important Events
9
1992
First World Climate Conference (WCC)
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
established
IPCC and 2nd WCC call for global treaty on climate
change
Convention adopted at the UN headquarters, NY
1994
Convention enters into force
1997
Adoption of the Kyoto Protocol
2005
Kyoto Protocol enters into force
2007
COP 13/CMP 3 in Bali, Indonesia.
2009
COP 15/CMP 5 in Copenhagen, Denmark
2010
COP 16/CMP 6 in Cancun, Mexico
2011
COP 17/CMP 7 in Durban, South Africa
2012
COP 18/CMP 8 in Doha, Qatar
2013
COP 19/CMP 9 in Warsaw, Poland
1979
1988
1990
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Further info: UNFCCC
website
Section 1: The International Climate Change
Policy Framework
10
Section 2
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Key Provisions of the
UNFCCC
Module 2: Introduction to the International Legal and
Policy Framework to Address Climate Change
Ultimate Objective of the Convention
(Article 2)
11
..To achieve..stabilization of greenhouse gas
concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would
prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the
climate system..
.within a time frame sufficient to:
Allow ecosystems to adapt naturally to climate change,
Ensure that food production is not threatened, and
Enable economic development to proceed in a
sustainable manner.
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Section 2: Key Provisions of the UNFCCC
Interactive Map of CO2 Emissions
per Country
12
Source: World Bank. Further info: The Guardian
website
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Section 2: Key Provisions of the UNFCCC
Two Broad Responses Adopted by
the Convention
13
Mitigation
Actions taken to cut net emissions of
greenhouse gases to reduce climate
change and to preserve and enhance
GHG sinks and reservoirs
Source: UNEP
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Adaptation
Actions taken to help cope with
changing climate conditions and
impacts
Source: UNITAR
Section 2: Key Provisions of the UNFCCC
Principles Guiding the Convention
(Article 3)
14
Equity &
Common but
Differentiated
Responsibilitie
s and
Respective
Capabilities
Full
Consideration
for Developing
Country Needs
&
Circumstances
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Precautionary
Principle
Right to
Sustainable
Development
Cooperate to
Promote
Supportive and
Open
Economic
System
Section 2: Key Provisions of the UNFCCC
Groups of Parties to the Convention
15
UNFCCC Parties
Annex I
Parties
Annex II
Parties
Group of 43 developed
countries, that were
part of the OECD in
1992, and countries
with economies in
transition (EIT)
Group of 23
developed countries
but not countries with
EIT (subset of Annex I
countries)
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Non-Annex I
Parties
Mostly developing
countries
Section 2: Key Provisions of the UNFCCC
Commitments of all Parties (Article 4)
16
Communicat
e to the
COP info
related to
implementation
Promote
education,
training and
public
awareness
Develop
national
GHG
inventories
Formulate
mitigation &
adaptation
measures
All parties
Cooperate in
information
exchange
Promote
sustainable
development
Promote and
cooperate in
research
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Cooperate in
transfer of
technologies
Take cc
considerations into
account in
development
planning
Section 2: Key Provisions of the UNFCCC
Different Responsibilities for Different
Party Groups
17
Annex I Parties
Take the lead in
reducing GHG
emissions
Submit regular national
communications and
biennial reports
Submit annual
inventory of GHG
emissions
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Annex II Parties
Provide financial &
other resources to
developing countries
for mitigation and
adaptation
Facilitate the transfer
of climate-friendly
technologies
Non-Annex I
Parties
Report on mitigation
and adaptation
actions
Submit national
communications and
biennial update
reports (BURs)
Section 2: Key Provisions of the UNFCCC
Important Bodies Under the
Convention
18
Source: UNFCCC
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Section 2: Key Provisions of the UNFCCC
Subsidiary Body for Scientific and
Technological Advice (SBTSA)
19
Provides advice
on scientific and
technological
matters
Comprised of
government
representatives
competent in the
relevant field of
expertise
Develops
guidelines for
national
communications
and emission
inventories
Meets at least
twice a year with
last sessions of
the year held in
conjunction with
COP
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Source: IISD. Further info: UNFCCC
website
Section 2: Key Provisions of the UNFCCC
Subsidiary Body for Implementation
(SBI)
20
Assists in
assessing and
reviewing
implementatio
n of the
UNFCCC
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Deals with
financial and
administrative
matters
Holds
sessions at
the same time
as SBSTA
sessions
Section 2: Key Provisions of the UNFCCC
Partner Entities of the UNFCCC
21
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Section 2: Key Provisions of the UNFCCC
National Communications &
Biennial Reports
22
National
communications and
biennial (update)
reports document
implementation
status in Annex I and
non-Annex I
countries
Annex I Parties must
submit national
inventories of GHGs
and report to COP
periodically
Non-Annex I
countries have
reporting
flexibility
Support for nonAnnex I countries
available to prepare
national
communications &
biennial update
reports
Further info: UNFCCC
website
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Section 2: Key Provisions of the UNFCCC
Explore the Database of National
Communications
23
NCs by Annex I Parties
NCs by Non-Annex I Parties
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National Focal Points under the
UNFCCC
24
UNFCCC National Focal Points
First point of contact within the government for
communications regarding the UNFCCC
Focal Points for Article 6
(education, training, awareness raising)
Identify areas for international cooperation
Strengthen synergies with other conventions
Coordinate reporting on Article 6 chapter in
national communications
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Section 2: Key Provisions of the UNFCCC
25
Section 3
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The Kyoto Protocol
Module 2: Introduction to the International Legal and
Policy Framework to Address Climate Change
What is the Kyoto Protocol ?
26
International treaty linked to the UNFCCC
Adopted at COP 3 in Kyoto, Japan, in 1997
Entered into force in February 2005
Currently 192 Parties
First commitment period
2008 2012
Second commitment
period 2013 2020
Source: Ubuntu Climate Justice
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Section 3: The Kyoto Protocol
Relevance of the Kyoto Protocol
27
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Supplements
and strengthens
the Convention
Identifies &
regulates six
gases as GHGs
(Annex A)
Provides
opportunities for
mitigation and
adaptation in
developing
countries
Sets out
individual,
legally binding
emission targets
for
Annex I Parties
(Annex B)
Section 3: The Kyoto Protocol
Regulated Greenhouse Gases
28
Carbon
dioxide
(CO2)
Methane
(CH4)
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Nitrous
oxide
(N2O)
Hydro
fluoro
carbons
(HFCs)
Per fluoro
carbons
(PFCs)
Sulphur
hexa
fluoride
(SF6)
Nitrogen
trifluoride
(NF3)
Section 3: The Kyoto Protocol
Key Areas of Emission Reduction
29
Energy
Waste
Agriculture
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Industrial
processes
Solvent
and other
product use
Section 3: The Kyoto Protocol
Mitigation Commitments: 20082012
30
37 industrialized countries and the European
Community committed to:
5%
Reduce their emissions by at least
below
1990 levels in the 2008-2012 period
Ensure their amount of CO2 equivalent emissions
do not exceed assigned amounts
Each Kyoto Protocol Annex B Party had assigned
amount units (AAUs) for the 2008-2012
commitment period
(Source: UNFCCC)
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Section 3: The Kyoto Protocol
Mitigation Commitments: 20132020
31
Doha Amendment to the Kyoto Protocol"
18% below
Reduce GHG emissions by at least
1990 levels (Source: UNFCCC)
37 countries taking part in second commitment
period account only for around 14% of world
emissions
(Source: European Commission)
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Section 3: The Kyoto Protocol
Creating Flexibility for Emission
Reduction: The Kyoto Mechanisms
32
Three Kyoto Mechanisms
Joint
Implementation
(JI) (Article 6)
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Clean
Development
Mechanism
(CDM)
(Article
12)
Emission Trading
(Article 17)
Section 3: The Kyoto Protocol
Kyoto Protocol Accounting
and Compliance
33
Source: UNFCCC 2008 P21
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Section 3: The Kyoto Protocol
Important Bodies under the
Kyoto Protocol
34
Source: UNFCCC
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Section 3: The Kyoto Protocol
35
Section 4
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Main Issues and
Negotiation Streams
Module 2: Introduction to the International Legal and
Policy Framework to Address Climate Change
Adaptation
36
Nairobi Work Programme (NWP)
Cancun Adaptation Framework (CAF)
Work Programme on Loss And Damages
National Adaptation Programmes of Action (NAPAs)
National Adaptation Plans (NAPs)
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Section 4: Main Issues and Negotiation Streams
In Focus: National Adaptation Plan
(NAP) Process
37
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Section 4: Main Issues and Negotiation Streams
Mitigation
38
Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation
(REDD+)
Land Use, Land-use Change and Forestry (LULUCF)
Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Action (NAMA)
Reporting on National Implementation and Monitoring Reporting
and Verification (MRV)
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Section 4: Main Issues and Negotiation Streams
In Focus: REDD Information
Sharing Web Platform
39
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Section 4: Main Issues and Negotiation Streams
Finance
40
Fast Start Finance
Long-Term Finance
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Section 4: Main Issues and Negotiation Streams
In Focus: Finance Portal for
Climate Change
41
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Section 4: Main Issues and Negotiation Streams
Technology
42
Technology Mechanism
Climate Technology Center and Network (CTCN)
Technology Information Clearing House (TT:CLEAR)
Poznan Strategic Programme on Technology Transfer
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Section 4: Main Issues and Negotiation Streams
In Focus: Climate Technology
Center and Network (CTCN)
43
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Section 4: Main Issues and Negotiation Streams
Capacity Building
44
Capacity Building Frameworks
Durban Forum on Capacity-building
Doha Work Programme on Article 6
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Section 4: Main Issues and Negotiation Streams
Climate Change Education
45
Video: Learning to Address Climate
Change produced by the United Nations
Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization (UNESCO)
URL: [Link]
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Section 4: Main Issues and Negotiation Streams
46
Section 5
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Towards a Post 2020
Climate Change Regime
Module 2: Introduction to the International Legal and
Policy Framework to Address Climate Change
negotiations
untiluntil
2012:
two track
Negotiations
2012:
approach
Two Track Approach
Kyoto
Protocol
UNFCCC
47
Long Term
Cooperative
Action (LCA)
Further
Commitments
Under Kyoto
Protocol (KP)
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Ad Hoc Working Group on Long-term
Cooperative Action under the Convention (AWGLCA)
Established in 2007 at COP13 in Bali
Negotiations terminated in 2012 at COP18 in
Doha
Ad Hoc Working Group on Further Commitments
for Annex I Parties under the Kyoto Protocol
(AWG-KP)
Established in 2005 at CMP1 in Montreal
Concluded its work in 2012 at CMP8 in Doha
Section 5: Towards a Post-2020 Climate Change
Regime
Progress Made under the Two
Tracks
48
Copenhagen Accord
Cancun Agreements
Global commitment to keep
temperature increase below 2C
Principle financial commitments
from developed countries:
USD 30 billion for period of
2010-2012
USD 100 billion a year by
2020
Formalization of Annex I Parties
pledges made in Copenhagen
Accord
Green Climate Fund
Cancun Adaptation Framework
and Adaptation Committee
Technology Mechanism
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Section 5: Towards a Post-2020 Climate Change
Regime
From 2013: Single Track
Negotiations
49
Source: UNDP 2012 p7
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Section 5: Towards a Post-2020 Climate Change
Regime
50
Ad Hoc Working Group on the
Durban Platform for Enhanced
Action (ADP)
Established to develop the post-2020 climate change regime
The ADP to develop under the Convention and applicable to
all Parties, either:
A protocol
Another legal instrument
An agreed outcome with legal force
The ADP is to complete its work no later than 2015
The instruments developed will come into effect and be
implemented from 2020
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Section 5: Towards a Post-2020 Climate Change
Regime
Two Workstreams of the ADP
51
Workstream 1: To take steps to
negotiate a global climate
change agreement to be adopted
by 2015 and enter into force
2020
ADP tasked with two
streams of work
Workstream 2: To agree how to
raise global ambition before
2020 to speed up response to
climate change
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Section 5: Towards a Post-2020 Climate Change
Regime
COP 18/CMP 8 in Doha, Qatar
52
Adoption of a second commitment period of the Kyoto
Protocol
Doha Gateway, a package of decisions which includes:
Decision on loss and damages
Agreement on means to deliver scaled-up
climate finance and technology to
developing countries
Doha Work Programme on Article 6
Conclusion of the work of AWG-LCA and AWG-KP
Further info: UNFCCC
website
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Section 5: Towards a Post-2020 Climate Change
Regime
COP19/CMP 9 in Warsaw, Poland
53
Agreement on a detailed roadmap towards a post
2015 agreement
Agreement to develop the Warsaw international
mechanism for loss and damage
Agreement on the Warsaw Framework for REDD+
Work on Climate Technology Centre and Network
(CTCN) is completed and the Centre is now fully
operative
Announcement of a Climate Summit in 2014 by UN
Secretary General
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Speech by Philippines
Delegate on Hunger Strike
54
Video: Naderev (Yeb) Sao, announces his decision
to go on hunger strike on the first day of the COP19
Climate Change Summit in Poland, 11 November
2013.
URL: [Link]
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Section 5: Towards a Post-2020 Climate Change
Regime
Key Issues to Resolve
55
Closing mitigation gap
Form of legal framework for 2020 and beyond
Finance for mitigation and adaptation
Effective implementation of technology transfer
mechanism
Up-scaling of capacity development for implementation
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Section 5: Towards a Post-2020 Climate Change
Regime
Annex I
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Additional Resources
Module 2: Introduction to the International Legal and
Policy Framework to Address Climate Change
Module Summary
Since climate change is a global issue, international solutions must
be found.
The main platform where international negotiations on climate
change happen is the UN Framework Convention on Climate
Change (UNFCCC).
The main negotiation issues are climate change adaptation,
mitigation, finance, technology and capacity building.
Under the Kyoto Protocol developed countries committed to reduce
their greenhouse gas emissions between 2008-2012. The Protocol
has been renewed for the period 2012-2020.
The current negotiations are about reaching an agreement that will
go beyond 2020.
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Additional Ressources
Useful Links
585858
UNFCCC Full
Text
Kyoto Protocol
Text
CC:iNet
UNFCCC
Negotiator App
UNFCCC
National Focal
Points
UNFCCC Article
6 Focal Points
NAPA Project
Base
NAMA Registry
The Guardian:
Global Climate
Talks
Climate Change
Policy & Practice
- Daily News
IISD Reporting
Service
Climate Change
Meetings
IPCC
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Additional Resources
Recommended Readings
595959
FIELD (2011). Help for MEA Negotiators Who Encounter
Problems
IPCC (2007). Fourth Assessment Synthesis Report
UN General Assembly (1988). Protection of Global Climate
for Present and Future Generations
UNFCCC. Brief Overview of UNFCCC Decisions
UNFCCC & UNEP (2001). Climate Change Information Kit
UNFCCC (2002). A Guide to the Climate Change
Convention Process
UNFCCC (2006). UNFCCC Handbook
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Additional Resources
Main References
606060
UNITAR (2013). Climate Change Diplomacy:
Negotiating Effectively under the UNFCCC, Module I
VIII.
UNFCCC (2004). The First Ten Years
UNFCCC (2006). UNFCCC Handbook
UNFCCC (2008). Kyoto Protocol Reference Manual: On
Accounting of Emissions and Assigned Amount
UNFCCC & UNEP (2002). Climate Change Information
Kit
UNFCCC. Official Website
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Additional Resources