Climate change is a much discussed issue since years. With the Kyoto Protocol ending in 2012, the world needs a follow-up agreement. It entered into force on 16 February 2005 and is aimed at fighting global warming. The Kyoto Protocol is an international agreement linked to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
This international and legally binding agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions worldwide was already signed by 192 countries. The first Conference of the Parties (COP), i.e. the countries which signed the convention, took place in Berlin 28 March – 7 April 1995. The 15th annual conference has the capital of Denmark as its host: Copenhagen.
2009 marks an important year for the fight against climate change and global warming: the countries have to find follow-up rules after the Kyoto Protocol which will end on 31 December 2011. Many people are already asking for a “Copenhagen Protocol” as a substitute for the Kyoto Protocol – the only binding document under international law related to world climate politics.
The impressions of the current UN climate conference are conflicting, but the participants seem to know about the consequences of a rise or fall of new binding agreements. Therefore, good diplomacy should be pursued by all – only little frictions could damage the large project in Copenhagen. A first look-up was caused by a representative of Tuvalu which seems to be especially threatened by the rapid climate change.
One of the key problems is a question of wealth: in how far will developping countries concede when it comes to a regulation of their mobility? People in China and India also have a right to drive their own private car which produces carbon dioxide. How much financial support will come from industrial nations to support poorer countries?
There is not much time left to make important agreements: the United Nations Climate Change Conference will end on 18 December 2009. Then, important steps for the preservation of our mother earth should be made. The world needs a “Copenhagen Protocol”.
