28 November 2012: The UNFCCC’s Ad Hoc Working Group on Long-term Cooperative Action under the Convention (AWG LCA) has released a draft decision on enhanced mitigation of developed countries, submitted by the African States (FCCC/AWGLCA/2012/CRP.7).

The draft decision, similar to previous submissions (such as FCCC/AWGLCA/2012/CRP.5), calls for a target for the Annex 1 group of a 40-50% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2020 compared to 1990 levels, and calls for a joint work programme to be implemented under the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI) and the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technical Advice (SBSTA) in order to establish common accounting rules.

The draft decision also calls for a process on Annex I Parties’ quantified emission limitation and reduction commitments (QELRCs) that reflects an “increase in the level of ambition of developed country parties to a level commensurate with science and equity.” Finally, the draft decision calls for measurable, reportable and verifiable nationally appropriate mitigation commitments or actions, including quantified emission limitation and reduction objectives by developed country Parties to be comparable and to be given legal force under the UNFCCC.

The draft decision will be considered under agenda item 3(b)(i) of the 15th session of the AWG LCA. [Publication: Submission from the African States]