30 November 2012: The UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) released a press release from the African Group to address issues with negotiations at the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change’s 18th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP) and the 8th session of the COP serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (COP/MOP).

Main negotiating issues highlighted by the African Group include: the second commitment period under the Kyoto Protocol; the finalization of the outcomes from the Bali mandate; climate finance; and the 2015 agreement.

In particular, the press release calls for Annex 1 countries to commit to a reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of at least 40% by 2020 and 95% by 2050 compared to 1990 levels. The Group also calls for the operationalization of technology, adaptation and finance institutions called for in previous decisions adopted by the parties.

The African Group also stresses the importance of fulfilling climate finance pledges, ensuring that there is no gap between the first and second commitment periods under the Kyoto Protocol, and limiting carbon market and project-based mechanisms for meeting emission reduction targets. [UNECA Press Release]