The first session of the Ad Hoc Working Group on Long-term Cooperative Action (AWGLCA 1) and the fifth session of the Ad Hoc Working Group on Further Commitments for Annex I Parties under the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (AWG 5) attracted over 1000 participants, including more than 100 […]
The first session of the Ad Hoc Working Group on Long-term Cooperative Action (AWGLCA 1) and the fifth session of the Ad Hoc Working Group on Further Commitments for Annex I Parties under the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (AWG 5) attracted over 1000 participants, including more than 100 media representatives, to their “Bangkok Climate Change Talks” in Bangkok, Thailand, from 31 March to 4 April 2008.
In his opening statement, Yvo de Boer, Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, emphasized the importance of the next six months for the success and finalization of an agreement in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 2009. He highlighted that, “according to the IPCC’s [Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change] scientific findings, the solutions that we come up with in the context of advancing the Bali Road Map need to: significantly increase the extent of adaptation to reduce vulnerability; stop the increase of global emissions within the next 10-15 years; dramatically cut back emissions by mid-century at the latest; and do so in a way that is economically viable world-wide.”
The AWGLCA focused on developing its work programme for 2008, which was adopted just after midnight on Saturday morning. The work programme aims to further discussions on all elements of the Bali Action Plan at every session of the AWGLCA in a coherent, integrated and transparent manner. It establishes a timetable and elements to be addressed, as well as eight in-session workshops to be held during 2008. The AWG convened an in-session workshop on analyzing the means for Annex I parties to reach their emission reduction targets.
In its conclusions, AWG 5 indicated that emissions trading and the project-based mechanisms under the Protocol should continue in the post-2012 period, and be supplemental to domestic actions in Annex I countries. The next round of discussions will convene in Bonn, Germany, beginning on 2 June 2008.
IISDRS coverage | Statement by the Executive Secretary at the opening of the Bangkok Climate Change Talks 2008