Limited Progress at the Informal UNFCCC climate negotiations in Bonn, 10-14 August 2009
10-14 August 2009, Bonn, Germany
On 14 August 2009, the latest round of week-long, international climate talks concluded in Bonn. The informal consultations under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) were intended to cut down the negotiating text, which swelled to over 200 pages after the last talks in Bonn in June.
Whilst some progress in Bonn was made in narrowing down options in the negotiating text, governments also discussed technical issues such as how mid-term (2020) emission reduction pledges of industrialised countries could be translated into legally binding targets as a key component of the Copenhagen deal.
However, UNFCCC Executive Secretary Yvo de Boer stated that only "limited progress" was made to consolidate the huge text, as funding for climate change mitigation and adaptation in developing countries remains the main stumbling block. While developing countries insist on the historical responsibility of developed nations and request their assistance in acquiring technologies needed to halt greenhouse gas emissions, industrialised countries would like to see developing countries to compile at least national emission reduction strategies, before they put any money on the table. According to de Boer, the missing link is "a clear indication of the finance and technology industrialised countries are ready to provide to help developing countries green their economic growth and adapt to the impacts of climate change."
Another central disagreement remains the scale of each party contribution to emissions reductions in the spirit of the principle of common but differentiated responsibility. Actual emission reduction pledges by industrialised countries would result in a 15-21% cut from 1990 levels (and even less if the US was included), falling short on halting global warming below the critical 2°C threshold. "Industrialised countries need to show a greater level of ambition in agreeing to meaningful mid-term emission reduction targets", stated Yvo de Boer. "If we continue at this rate, we are not going to make it," he warned.
Following the meeting in Bonn, work on the negotiating text will continue on 28 September in Bangkok at a two-week negotiating session. Delegates will then assemble for five days of pre-Copenhagen negotiations in Barcelona, 2-6 November 2009. Local governments will be present in those meetings, as well as at the 15th Conference of the Parties in Copenhagen, Denmark, 7-18 December 2009.
If you are a local government leader and wish to attend these meetings, please contact the Local Government Climate Roadmap Team to facilitate your nomination to access.
For a comprehensive summary of the climate negotiations, please download the Earth Negotiations Bulletin, compiled by iisd Reporting Services.