V. Procedural Suggestions

As discussion on further commitments, long term cooperation, and the performance of the Kyoto Protocol resume in Kenya, SustainUS stresses that future action must occur mindful of the following issues.

Adaptation

Climate change is already impacting poor and vulnerable communities around the world, specifically in the developing world. At COP12, Parties should agree on specific goals on adaptation to climate change. The goals should include targets, timetables, and funding to address adaptation needs, particularly the needs of Africa. Adaptation strategies must empower poor communities to be part of the climate change solution and strengthen disaster risk reduction. It is necessary to reform emergency responses and the emergency systems must be improved to deliver prompt, effective assistance on the basis of need. Furthermore, it must support local livelihoods as well as meet the immediate needs of the most vulnerable.

Long-term cooperative action and framework

The next commitment period should have short-term measurable goals with targets and timetables that can allow Parties to assess their efforts to reduce and stabilize greenhouse gas emissions. These short term goals must fit within a long-term framework that define a contraction and convergence trajectory to reduce greenhouse emissions, in addition to national policies to reduce energy consumption through energy efficiency and education.

Annex I parties should take leadership in facilitating action to reduce industrial greenhouse gas emission through national policies and measures that engage all business and industry. The Kyoto Mechanisms can facilitate compliance, but they need to be improved in order to ensure that the reductions issued are additional and show environmental integrity. National legislation facilitates meeting those criteria, and in combination with national mechanisms and incentives, can engage a broad range of players, reducing abatement costs and meeting national commitment through targets.

Engaging players from different sectors requires building support and addressing the issues at hand through forums such as trade, agriculture, and development. Climate action can be a driving force in forming stronger coalitions and fostering economic development through climate-friendly investment. Unless institutions harmonize their agendas, conflicting policies and practices—like fossil fuel subsidies and trade barriers for non-climate friendly goods—will perpetuate conflict. Trade and climate action can be mutually supportive. Identifying those opportunities is absolutely critical.

Future Action

SustainUS believes that reducing greenhouse emissions can foster sustainable development. Addressing climate change requires strong action to support R&D, the implementation of measures that promote renewable energy, and a complete phase-out of fossil fuels. Strategies such as those called for by the World Summit on Sustainable Development have the potential to facilitate a post-2012 approach to reduce greenhouse gases in Annex I and non-Annex I countries and must not be compromised.

Article 9 and further commitments dialogues

Lessons and findings gathered under the review called for by Article 9 of the Protocol should be reflected in the discussion of further commitments. SustainUS believes that the COP/MOP should request that Article 9 reviews be scheduled under the subsidiary bodies, in coordination with the Ad Hoc Working Group. Decisions coming out of Nairobi 2006 could provide an umbrella to improve the implementation of the UN climate regime. The process following COPMOP2 decisions on Article 9 will allow for better understanding of more cost-efficient and environmentally sound activities to be considered in the discussions vis-à-vis post-2012 commitments.

Stabilizing greenhouse gases at 450 ppm requires a complementary mix of bottom-up and top-down approaches. Post-2012 Annex I commitments should be binding, and allow for non-Annex I parties to participate through differentiated policies and measures. Commitments must be quantifiable and must translate in clear emission targets and financial commitments to the funds established by the Convention and the Protocol. Moreover, engaging developing economies in the objectives of the Convention will occur if the commitments are connected to the sustainable development priorities of non-Annex I parties with appropriate differentiation in timing and stringency.