By Maryann Jones Thompson (via CEF)
The Cancun international climate negotiations defied low expectations by producing a set of modest “Cancun Agreements,” which delegates argue provide a strong base for a comprehensive agreement
next year. Key outcomes included:
- Creation of a new “Green Climate Fund” (with the The World Bank as “Trustee”) that aims to disburse $100 billion a year by 2020 to help poor countries adapt to climate change impacts and assist with low-carbon development;
- A system on “Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) to compensate countries for preservation of tropical forests;
- Research centers to boost the transfer of clean energy technology;
- A more formalized international program of reporting and verification of reductions;
- The 193 parties to the Framework Convention on Climate Change will defer decision on whether to extend the 1997 Kyoto Protocol until next year’s climate conference in Durban, South Africa.
CEF invited several executives, NGO leaders and experts who attended
to share their top takeaways from the negotiations and side meetings.
