FACTBOX-Agreements at U.N. climate talks
Source: Reuters
Nov 16 (Reuters) - Following are details of agreements reached so far at a Nov. 6-17 U.N. conference in Nairobi to find ways to step up the fight against global warming beyond 2012, the end of the first period of the U.N.'s Kyoto Protocol: RENEWING KYOTO Delegates from 165 nations reaffirmed their goal of agreeing an extension of Kyoto "as early as possible" to ensure a smooth transition to a new set of rules starting in 2013 to give investors time to adapt. It set no deadline for an agreement. AID TO AFRICA U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan launched a plan by six U.N. agencies to help poor nations, especially in Africa, win new funds from a Kyoto mechanism for promoting clean energies such as wind, hydro or solar power. Most of the investment so far under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) has gone to China, India and Brazil, with Africa lagging far behind. He appealed to donors for funds. The U.N. development and environment agencies will advise on how to "climate proof" poor nations -- not build roads, for instance, by coasts where rising seas could wash them away. ADAPTATION, AFRICA The talks agreed principles for running an Adaptation Fund financed by a levy on CDM projects that is meant to help poor nations, especially in Africa, to adapt to climate changes. Details such as priority areas, eligibility for cash and how to manage the fund, worth $3 million but set to grow to perhaps $700 million by 2012, were unresolved. Any group wanting to manage the fund has to apply by Feb. 2007. FIVE-YEAR CLIMATE PLAN Delegates set details of a five-year programme to look at the impact of climate change, the vulnerability of the world and ways to adapt to changes such as floods, heatwaves, or droughts. Experts will make recommendations by end-2008. DEFORESTATION Negotiators agreed further study of proposals to help nations slow deforestation, which accounts for about 20 per cent of emissions of greenhouse gases caused by human activities. Many tropical nations want some form or credits, perhaps even via the CDM, for preserving forests. A report is due next year. UNRESOLVED ISSUES: KYOTO REVIEW Rich and poor counties disagree on how to carry out a scheduled review of the Kyoto Protocol in Nairobi. Many rich nations want a wide-ranging review in coming years but developing states fear they will be lured into making expensive commitments to cut greenhouse gas emissions. CARBON CAPTURE The talks seemed likely to put off a decision on whether to grant carbon credits under the CDM for projects that simply bury greenhouse gases, for instance from coal-fired coal plants. RUSSIA Russia favours setting up a new mechanism under which countries outside Kyoto could make voluntary commitments to cut emissions of greenhouse gases.
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