Climate change is a global problem, which requires a global response. Countries have come together under the auspices of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Kyoto Protocol to negotiate international solutions. The UNFCCC and the Kyoto Protocol are legal frameworks, which establish the responsibilities of the countries that are party to the conventions. An annual conference is held at which the parties to the conventions negotiate emissions reduction obligations and other convention provisions. Industry groups and non-governmental organizations also attend these conferences to lobby countries to take favorable positions on climate change issues. USCAN attends these conferences as an environmental non-governmental organization and supports strong action by countries to mitigate climate change.

Throughout 2007 climate change continued to be a central topic on the international stage. At the G8 summit in June, members came together and agreed that by 2009 an international agreement, created within the UN system, should be adopted for the next phase of international climate action to start in 2012. The United Nations General Assembly held is first ever discussion devoted to climate change in the begining of August, and Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon plans to hold a high level event on the subject on September 24th. Climate change is also expected to be a major focus at the upcoming ASEAN, APEC, and Bush big-emitters summits. The continued discussions all serve to build momentum in the lead up to the next Conference of Parties (COP-13) to the UNFCCC in Bali, Indonesia this December. Strong action will be needed at this conference to ensure real progess is made on shaping the 2012 commitment.

To read more about CAN’s position on international climate change, click here

To learn more about the past three conferences, COP-11, COP-12 and COP-13, click on the links below.

COP-11 Montreal

COP-12 Nairobi

COP-13 Bali

To learn more about the Kyoto Protocol, click here