solutions >
International solutions
In this section, you will learn about international groups and agreements that are focusing the world's efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and confront climate change:
- United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC)
- Kyoto Protocol
- What will happen after Kyoto expires in 2012?
- Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate (AP6)
- Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was signed in 1992 and has since been ratified by 184 countries. These countries have agreed to work together to stabilize concentrations of greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere at a level that will prevent dangerous human-induced interference in the global climate system. The UNFCCC and subsequent decisions regarding its interpretation and implementation represent one of the most complex multilateral agreements ever negotiated.
top of page
Kyoto Protocol
The Kyoto Protocol, signed in 1997 in Kyoto Japan, is the primary mechanism through which the global community is to take concrete steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It entered into force in February 2005, and obliges industrialized countries that have ratified the accord to reduce their emissions of six greenhouse gases, the major contributors being carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide.
READ MORE ...
top of page
After Kyoto
In 2012, the commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol will come to an end. The international climate community is currently working on finding its replacement, a new regime that will determine the future basis upon which global cooperation on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to climate change impacts will take place. While formal negotiations are taking place under the auspices of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Kyoto Protocol, numerous parallel initiatives lead by national governments and research institutes are shaping the nature of this discussion.
Determining the future of the climate regime is a complex process - influenced by the need to
- balance the diverse interests and national circumstances of developed and developing countries
- enable continued economic development in all countries
- promote significant energy development in developing nations
Progress is critical, if the global community is to achieve the substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions needed to avoid significant, adverse climate change.
For more information on the Kyoto Protocol, check out our Hot Topic #3 card – Kyoto Protocol.
top of page
Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate (AP6)
The AP6 is an international agreement among Australia, India, Japan, the People’s Republic of China, South Korea, and the United States of America. The partners agreed to co-operate on development and transfer of technology which enables the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Unlike the Kyoto Protocol, AP6 has no mandatory greenhouse gas reduction goals and no mandatory enforcement mechanisms.
AP6 Member countries account for around 50% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption, GDP, and population. |
top of page
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
The IPCC was established in 1988 by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The panel was created to provide policy-makers with an objective source of information about climate change. The panel’s role is to be comprehensive, objective, transparent, and use the best available information on climate change. The IPCC does not carry out research or do any monitoring of climate and related phenomena. The IPCC is only open to member states of the WMO and UNEP.
IPCC publications are widely cited in almost any debate related to climate change. They have become standard works of reference and are generally regarded as authority. All IPCC technical reports are based on information contained in peer-reviewed literature and published scientific literature. The reports face extensive scientific review and draw on the works of hundreds of experts from around the world.
