29 November 2012: The UNFCCC Secretariat has published a conference room paper containing a submission to the Ad Hoc Working Group on Long-Term Cooperative Action (AWG LCA) from 20 countries. The submission refers to a shared vision for long-term cooperative action, including a long-term global goal for emission reductions, in accordance with the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities (CBDR).

The submission comes from Argentina, Bolivia, China, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Dominica, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, India, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Malaysia, Mali, Pakistan, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Sudan and Thailand.

In the submitted draft decision, the COP affirms that the work towards identifying a global goal for substantially reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions must be based on historical responsibility, and decides that the 2050 goal shall be achieved by parties on the basis of equity and in accordance with their common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities. Annex I Parties would commit to reducing their aggregate emissions by 40-50% below 1990 levels by 2020; and developing country parties’ equitable contributions to the goal’s achievement shall take into account their specific needs and circumstances, ensure access to their sustainable development and improvements in living standards, and be commensurate to the extent to which support for their mitigation and adaptation actions are provided by developed country parties.

A number of long-term goals are set as part of the context and conditions for the achievement of the global goal on emissions reductions, on: addressing adaptation with the same priority as mitigation; providing measurable, reportable and verifiable new and additional financial flows; measurable, reportable and verifiable modalities for effective technology transfer; and capacity building.

The draft stipulates that developed country parties shall not resort to unilateral measures against goods and services from developing country parties on grounds related to climate change; and developing country parties may use the flexibilities of the intellectual property regime to the fullest extent to address adaptation or mitigation. Parties also shall ensure harmony between humanity and nature in defense of Mother Earth, in order to adapt naturally to climate change.

A work programme established under the Subsidiary Body on Implementation (SBI) shall study the issue of developing a compliance regime under the Convention, particularly in relation to the compliance of Annex I and II Parties with their obligations under the Convention, and the linkages of such compliance regime with international law and dispute settlement under the International Court of Justice (ICJ). [Submission from Argentina, Bolivia, China, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, India, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Malaysia, Mali, Pakistan, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Sudan and Thailand]