28 November 2012: The Second Committee (Economic and Financial) of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) has approved draft resolution (A/C.2/67/L.43) on “Protection of Global Climate for Present and Future Generations of Humankind.” The draft was approved in New York, US, on 28 November 2012.

The draft resolution refers to climate change as “one of the greatest challenges of our time” and highlights threats that countries, particularly developing countries, will face without immediate adaptation. Looking towards the 18th Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 18) to the UNFCCC, taking place from 26 November-7 December 2012, the draft encourages an “ambitious, substantive and balanced outcome” of the negotiations.

It notes that the adoption of a second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol would be a key deliverable of COP 18. In regards to the COP 17 Durban Platform for Enhanced Action decision to create an Ad Hoc Working Group tasked with developing a new protocol, legal instrument, or agreed outcome with legal force, the document takes note that this group should complete its work by 2015 in order to adopt the outcome at COP 21.

Actions to close the mitigation ambition gap are referenced, and the draft notes the COP decision to launch a work plan exploring options to ensure “the highest possible mitigation efforts by all parties.” Additionally, the draft recognizes the need to engage a broad range of stakeholders at all levels of society, with participation of women and indigenous peoples, for effective climate change action. [Publication: Draft Resolution A/C.2/67/L.43]