Agreement Reached in Bali

Mother temple of besakih, Bali

Exhaustive discussions extend the UN Conference on Climate Change, but agreement is reached on a Roadmap for a secure climate future.

It took a day longer than expected, but at 2:31pm, local time, on Saturday 15th December, delegates from over 180 countries agreed on the world's roadmap towards a more secure climate future.

The Bali Roadmap Agreement was the result of exhaustive talks and debates that have taken place over the two weeks of the 13th meeting of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Bali. It lays the framework for future negotiations on binding treaties with the aim of completing this by 2009.

The main features of the roadmap:

  • 2009 deadline for completion of  negotiations of the Ad Hoc Working Group on Further Commitments under the Kyoto Protocol (AWG 4).
  • Adaptation Fund Launched
  • Defined the scope and content of the Article 9 review of the Kyoto Protocol
  • Charted course on reduction of emissions from deforestation
  • Preliminary framework for implementing technology transfer
  • Continuation of ongoing work to implement existing commitments

AWG 4:

The aim is to develop new binding treaties to replace the Kyoto Protocol when it expires in 2012. A deadline of 2009 has been set for the completion of the negotiations on the contents of future commitments to reducing GHG emissions.

Adaptation Fund:

Developed to support developing country Parties to the Kyoto Protocol that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change. It allows these countries to apply for funding to support specific concrete adaptation programmes.

Addressing the delegates, the president of the UN Climate Change Conference, Mr Rachmat Witolat said "The world was expecting us to show true vision and leadership and I have no doubt that we have proven equal to the task. It is said that leaders are those who create the future. Here, in Bali, you have demonstrated the leadership needed to create a sustainable future for us all."

For more information, visit the conference website 

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