13 July 2012: The 11th BASIC Ministerial Meeting on Climate Change concluded with the adoption of a joint statement in which the leaders reaffirm that the Durban Platform (ADP) process and outcome shall be under the Convention, in full accordance with all its principles and provisions, in particular the principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities.

The 11th BASIC Ministerial Meeting on Climate Change, which was held in Johannesburg, South Africa, from 12-13 July 2012, was attended by representatives from Brazil, South Africa, India and China (BASIC). Ambassador Mxakato-Diseko, as representative of the President of the 17th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 17) to the UNFCCC, also participated in the meeting. In line with the ‘BASIC-Plus’ approach, Qatar (as incoming President of COP 18), Swaziland (as Chair of the African Group), Nauru (as member of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS)) participated in the meeting and Algeria (as Chair of G-77/China) were also invited.

In their joint statement, BASIC Ministers affirm that the outcome of the Durban Conference represents a carefully balanced package, stressing that “this year is for implementation,” focusing on: the adoption of the Kyoto Protocol amendment to Annex B; the adoption of the agreed outcome pursuant to decision 1/CP.13 (Bali Action Plan); and the launch of the Durban Platform. They call for adoption of a ratifiable Kyoto Protocol second commitment period and its immediate implementation at the beginning of 2013, expressing concern on the level of ambition reflected in Annex I Parties’ quantified emission limitation and reduction objectives (QELROs). They underscore the importance for the Doha COP to conclude the work of the Ad Hoc Working Group on Long-term Cooperative Action under the Convention (AWG-LCA), emphasizing means of implementation and unresolved issues, in particular equity, intellectual property rights and unilateral measures. Ministers also highlight the full operationalization of the institutional mechanisms agreed in Durban, including the Adaptation Framework, and the mechanisms related to finance and technology.

In their statement, Ministers express deep concern at the “continued unilateral action by the EU to include international aviation in the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (EU-ETS)” and call for “immediate withdrawal of such actions that violate the multilateral rules based-system and affect trust among parties.”

The statement also identifies the need for further expert work on: the impact of market mechanisms in the context of Annex I ambition; unilateral measures on aviation and maritime emissions; and short-lived climate forcers. The 12th BASIC Ministerial Meeting will be hosted by Brazil in September 2012. [BASIC Joint Statement]