The Foundation hosted a meeting on the possible Legal Form of New Climate Agreement on September 9, 2011, with the support of the Grantham Research Institute of the London School of Economics.
The Foundation hosted a meeting on the possible Legal Form of New Climate Agreement on September 9, 2011, with the support of the Grantham Research Institute of the London School of Economics.
The meeting, held under Chatham House rules, was attended by invited participants from different regions of the world and they discussed possible options for the legal form of a future climate agreement.
Currently the only legally-binding international commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is the Kyoto Protocol, the first commitment period of which is due to expire on December 31, 2012. By the end of 2012 there should be a second commitment period or a new international agreement negotiated and ratified as otherwise there will be no legal imperative to reduce emissions.
Participants at the meeting which included President Mohammed Nasheed, President of the Maldives, considered and debated options currently under discussion in political, civil society, legal and academic spheres.
Speaking recently, the President of the Foundation, Mary Robinson said:
“A legally-binding agreement would ensure that richer nations provide adequate financial and technical support to enable the poorest countries to adapt to climate change and embrace low-carbon development. Furthermore, a legally-binding agreement would provide assurances for Parties to the UNFCCC that commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions will be met and would demonstrate symbolic value, particularly for developing countries and nations that are vulnerable to climate change, that there is a deeply-embedded international resolve to tackle the issue.
“Put simply, without a legally-binding international agreement, there is no obligation to act.”
Related:
Highlights from Meeting on Possible Legal Form of a New Climate Agreement
Note on the key messages that emerged from the meeting on possible ‘legal form’ options for a new climate agreement at at the London School of Economics (LSE) on the 9th September 2011.
Maldives should start using renewable energy: President – Haveeru, 09 September 2011
The Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment
Protecting the most vulnerable: the role of climate justice – IIEA talk by Mary Robinson, 05 September 2011
Protecting the Most Vulnerable: Securing a Legally Binding Climate Agreement – Mary Robinson Lecture at the London School of Economics, 11 March 2011
Towards COP 17 – information resource that explains the United Nations climate change negotiations process ahead of the next conference in December 2011.