History of climate change

Time line of policy development: IPCC= intergovernmental panel on climate change        WMO= world meteorological organization UNEP= UN environment program INC= Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee COP=Conference of the Parties  SBSTA= Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice Nov. 1988: The IPCC of established by the WMO and UNEP to help with future negotiations. Nov. 1990: The IPCC gives their first assignment report, stating that human activities are greatly increasing the amount of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere. They call for a global treaty Dec. 1990: The INC is formed and they hold 5 sessions with over 150 states and discussed 'common but differentiated' responsibilities of each country. Mar 1994 the UNFCCC which was formed in 1990 comes into force when 196 counties have signed their treaty. They have annual meetings with these counties to discuss annual developments called COP's. Mar. 1990: the UNFCCC which was formed in 1990 comes into force when 196 counties have signed their treaty. They have annual meetings with these counties to discuss annual developments called COP's. Jun. 1992: the Rio earth summit is held to bring the world together to curb greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change Apr. 1995 the first meeting is held and the countries agree that their commitments made at the Convention are 'inadequate' for meeting Convention objectives. They strengthen these commitments. Dec. 1997 The third Conference of the Parties achieves an historical milestone with adoption of the Kyoto Protocol, the world's first greenhouse gas emissions reduction treaty. Jul. 2001 governments reach a broad political agreement on the operational rulebook for the Kyoto Protocol at the 6th COP. Jan. 2006 the clean development mechanism opens, it’s a key part of the Kyoto protocol Feb. 2005 the Russian Federation submitted its instrument of ratification to the Kyoto Protocol, sealing its entry into force. Jan. 2005 The European Union Emissions Trading Scheme launches as a major pillar of EU climate policy. Installations regulated by the scheme are collectively responsible for close to half of the EU's emissions of CO2. Nov. 2006 SBSTA is mandated to undertake a program to address impacts, vulnerability and adaptation to climate change Jan. 2008 'Joint implementation' starts, this offers Parties a flexible and cost-efficient means of fulfilling a part of their Kyoto commitments, while the host Party benefits from foreign investment and technology transfer. Dec. 2009 the 15th COP creates the Copenhagen Accord. Developed countries pledge up to USD 30 billion in fast-start finance for the period 2010-2012.

Dec. 2011 At the 17th COP, governments commit to a new universal climate change agreement by 2015 for the period beyond 2020. Nov. 2013 The 19th COP produces the Warsaw Outcomes, including a rulebook for reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation and a mechanism to address loss and damage caused by long-term climate change impacts. Dec. 2015: 195 nations agreed to combat climate change and unleash actions and investment towards a low-carbon, resilient and sustainable future. The Paris Agreement for the first time brings all nations into a common cause based on their historic, current and future responsibilities. Nov. 2016: at COP 22 the parties decide to move forward on writing the rule book of the Paris Agreement. Where we are now:

Why its so hard to come up with international agreements with climate change protocols Protocols like the Kyoto protocol do have weaknesses when it comes to reducing greenhouse emissions and preventing climate change. A flaw would be that the protocol only requires developed countries to take part. On top of this, the United States has never signed up for the Kyoto protocol. This is due to their fear of heading into a recession and an economic crash due to their consumption habits explains Professor Jon Hovi. With the US being the most influential superpower in the globe, this lead to Canada leaving the Kyoto protocol before the end of the first commitment and leading to New Zealand, Russia and Japan to not take part in the second commitment. Now the Kyoto only applies to around 14% of the globe’s emissions. However, more than 70 developing and developed countries have made various non-binding commitments to reduce or limit their greenhouse gas emissions.