2009 is a crucial year for
international negotiations on climate change and it will culminate in
the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 15) in Copenhagen,
7-18 December, where the international community will face the
overall goal of establishing a global climate agreement for the
post-Kyoto world.

In 2012 the first commitment period of
the Kyoto Protocol will expire, and so the international community is
working to find a menu of future options to address climate change.

The 2009’s road to Copenhagen is made
by several steps.

The first and the second round of
negotiations took place in Bonn, 29 March-8 April and 1-12 June.

The path to Copenhagen will be
completed by three further sessions: 10-14 August in Bonn (informal
meeting); 28 September-9 October in Bangkok and 2-6 November in
Barcelona.

If not a global agreement, at least
clarity

There is a need to get something signed
and agreed in Copenhagen, said the executive secretary of UNFCCC Yvo
de Boer in an interview with Environment & Energy Publishing
(E&E). But, according to Mr. de Boer, it will be very difficult
to get every final, small detail of a whole new treaty done.

Four essential will be a good step
ahead for a new climate treaty that will be replacing the Kyoto
Protocol.

1. How much are the industrialized
countries willing to reduce their emissions of greenhouse gases?
2.
How much are major developing countries such as China and India
willing to do to limit the growth of their emissions?
3.
How is the help needed by developing countries to engage in reducing
their emissions and adapting to the impacts of climate change going
to be financed?
4. How is that money going to be
managed?

If the Cop 15 will close with
agreements on four political issue, said Yvo de Boer, it will be a
good and positive outcome.

MORE INFORMATION:

• Copenhagen COP 15 official web site;
• Yvo de Boer interview with Environment & Energy Publishing
  (E&E) – video;
• UNFCC United Nations Climate Change Conference