30 November 2010 | Luca Del Buono

 

The United Nations Framework on Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC) in Cancún, Mexico, commenced on Monday (November 29) with calls for commitment and compromise.

Mexican President Felipe Calderón opened the 16th session of the Conference of Parties (COP16) by stating the need for a speedy and effective resolution, to help to the disasters happening all over the world by slowing down climate change.

He said: "We here are responsible for what is happening to billions of people and what will happen to them in the future. It is perfectly possible to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and at the same time not only sustain economic growth but even find new ways of generating productivity and jobs in green development, green growth and sustainable (living)."

Calling on negotiators in Cancún to make progress in the interest of the next generation, Calderón said that the "eyes of the world" were focused on the meeting.
"Climate change is an issue that affects life on a planetary scale. What this means is that you will not be here alone negotiating in Cancún. By your side, there will be billions of human beings, expecting you to work for all of humanity."

Mexican Foreign Minister and newly elected President of COP16, Patricia Espinosa, said: "It is time to make a concerted effort before it is too late. We can only achieve the results if we commit to making progress."

Espinosa carried on by saying that governments meeting in Mexico can reach a deal to launch action on adaptation, technology transfer and forests; along with creating a new fund for long-term climate finance.

UNFCCC Executive Secretary Christiana Figueres said in her opening address that governments had revealed a growing union, and a balanced set of decisions under both the Convention and the Kyoto Protocol, could be an achievable outcome at COP16. At the same time, a number of politically and economically charged issues need to be resolved in order to reach such an outcome.

Following on from Copenhagen, Figueres said that developed countries in 2010 had revealed a commitment to live up to the fast start finance pledged in 2009. Developed countries have announced pledges amounting to a total of $28 billion.

Additionally, under the Kyoto Protocol, politically charged issues include the need to avoid a gap after the first commitment period and the importance of having clarity on the continuation of the Kyoto Protocol, along with the continuation of engaging the private sector through the 'cap and trade' market mechanism beyond 2012.

Under the Convention, the unresolved issues include the accountability for implementation of mitigation targets and actions; the mobilisation of long-term finance, the creation of a new fund for this and the accompanying accountability of its delivery, along with the understanding of fairness that will guide long-term mitigation efforts.

Ms. Figueres said: "When the stakes are high and issues are challenging, compromise is an act of wisdom that can unite different positions in creative ways. I am convinced that governments can compromise to find their way to a concrete outcome. That outcome needs to be both firm and dependable and have a dedicated follow-on process for future work."

Close to 15,000 participants, including government delegates from the 194 Parties to the UNFCCC and representatives from business and industry, environmental organisations and research institutions, are expected to attend the two-week gathering in Cancún.


Author: Charity Knight | Climate Action

Image: World Economic Forum | flickr

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