Australia supports Copenhagen Accord with disappointingly small target

Australia have formally announced their support for the Copenhagen Accord, the agreement that was brokered in the final hours of the Copenhagen climate talks in December.

The Copenhagen Accord was crafted after a major collapse in the negotiations that arose from an unwillingness of developed countries to commit to the continuation of the Kyoto Protocol until 2012 and to a legally binding agreement with 40% reductions in greenhouse gas emissions targets for developed countries after 2012.
 
The Accord includes an aim to keep global rise in temperatures to 2 degrees Celsius. Developed Countries, including Australia, can voluntarily submit greenhouse gas reduction targets for inclusion in an appendix of the accord to assist in achieving this goal.

Australia has submitted an unconditional target of reducing our greenhouse gas emissions by 5% by 2020 (equals 3.89% reductions on 1990 levels). Australia’s statement to the UN also states that the Government will consider committing to a reduction target between 15% to 25% if a number of conditions are met. Developing countries are calling for at least 40% reductions in annual greenhouse gas emissions from developed countries. So far, the Rudd Government’s commitments fall well short of what is required.

Developing nations are also being asked to spell out the actions they intend to take to limit their own emissions. This includes actions to Reduce Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD).

Debate is likely to continue on whether the Copenhagen Accord is a suitable framework for the ongoing negotiations that will be held between now and December when the next Conference of Parties will be held in Mexico. The 2 degree target is less that what most vulnerable countries and leading climate science is saying is required to avoid dangerous climate change and the Accord is not legally binding.

Countries were to indicate their support for the Copenhagen Accord by the 31st of January. 30 countries have or are likely to associate themselves with the Accord including the US, China, India, Indonesia, Australia and Brazil. The Maldives have just made a commitment to reduce their emissions by 100% by 2020, a decision that should embarrass developed nations. Cuba was the only country to indicate firm refusal to support the Accord by the 31st of January, because they believe it to be inadequate.

The UN climate chief, Yvo de Boer has said that the deadline is not the last opportunity for countries to sign up to be part of the Accord. Negotiations will continue throughout 2010 and hopefully a post 2012 climate treaty will be finalized in Mexico in December. 

Yvo de Boer also warned that because the Copenhagen climate talks did not deliver a full climate agreement, the window of opportunity for reaching an agreement is closing and the task of finalizing a global treaty is more urgent.

The Wilderness Society will continue our work to assist in securing a global climate treaty that secures a safe climate and includes the protection of the world’s forest as a vital first step for global climate action.

For more information follow us on twitter/climatechange or visit our blog www.safeclimate.wordpress.com

Further reading:

Copenhagen wrap - Zero commitment, Not good enough
Protecting our native forests is one of the most cost effective and easiest ways to reduce our emissions. 25% of greenhouse gas emissions are caused by logging and degrading forests and bushland – so protecting forests makes climate sense. Read more >>