Editorial. The role of business and industry in climate management after Durban

Williams, I.D., Coello, Jon, Kemp, Simon, McMurtry, Erin, Turner, David and Wright, Laurence (2012) Editorial. The role of business and industry in climate management after Durban. Carbon Management, 3 (5), 431-433. (doi:10.4155/CMT.12.51).

Abstract

On one level, it could be concluded that the 17th COP at Durban saw the same quarrelling, lack of movement and national protectionism that has plagued recent COPs. A cynic might claim that the overriding message was that “a plan was made to make a plan” and that no real progress was made.

However, a more balanced conclusion might be that we are making slow but steady progress to address the long-term challenge of climate change collectively and comprehensively. The were two key positive messages to emerge from the meeting:

- Driven by the EU countries, a pathway towards an international climate regime was agreed. A legally-binding agreement, based upon sound science, covering both developed and developing countries will be negotiated by 2015, which would cover post-2020 emissions targets and actions.

- Real progress was evident on some key issues, including technological advances, REDD+ and adaptation.

Conversely, the key negative messages were that:

- There was little progress on how we might close the gap between countries’ emissions levels and what is required to maintain the planet within 2°C of warming.

- Proposed funding levels are probably too low to facilitate the proper implementation of the Cancun Agreements, especially in terms of assisting developing nations to deal with the effects of climate change.

- There is still no agreed common accounting framework for carbon emissions; without this, meeting the “within 2°C goal” will be extremely difficult.

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Contributors

Author: I.D. Williams

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