COP 1 (Berlin, 1995) 21
decisions, 1 resolution
Parties agreed that the commitments in the Convention were "inadequate" for meeting the
Convention's objective. In a decision known as the
Berlin Mandate they agreed to establish a
process to negotiate strengthened commitments for developed countries.
COP 2 (Geneva, 1996) 17
decisions, 1 resolution
The
Geneva Ministerial Declaration was noted, but
not adopted. A decision on guidelines for the national communications to be prepared by developing
countries was adopted. Also discussed - Quantified Emissions Limitation and Reduction Objectives
(QELROs) for different Parties and an acceleration of the Berlin Mandate talks so that commitments
could be adopted at
COP 3.
COP 3 (Kyoto, 1997) 18
decisions, 1 resolution
The
Kyoto Protocol, was adopted by consensus. The
Kyoto Protocol includes legally binding emission targets for developed country (Annex I) Parties for the
six major greenhouse gases, which are to be reached by the period 2008-2012. Issues for future
international consideration include developing rules for emissions trading, and methodological work in
relation to forest sinks.
COP 4 (Buenos Aires, 1998) 19
decisions, 2 resolutions
The
Buenos Aires Plan of Action, focusing on
strengthening the financial mechanism, the development and transfer of technologies and maintaining the
momentum in relation to the Kyoto Protocol was adopted.
COP 5 (Bonn, 1999) 22
decisions
A focus on the adoption of the guidelines for the preparation of national communications by Annex I
countries, capacity building, transfer of technology and flexible mechanisms.
COP 6 (The Hague, 2000) 4
decisions, 3 resolutions
Part II of the sixth COP (Bonn, 2000) 2
decisions
Consensus was finally reached on the so-called
Bonn Agreements. Work was also completed on a
number of detailed decisions based on the Bonn Agreements, including capacity-building for developing
countries and countries with economies in transition. Decisions on several issues, notably the mechanisms
land-use change and forestry (LULUCF) and compliance, remained outstanding.
COP 7 (Marrakech, 2001) 39
decisions, 2 resolutions
Parties agreed on a package deal, with key features including rules for ensuring compliance with
commitments, consideration of LULUCF Principles in reporting of such data and limited banking of units
generated by sinks under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) (the extent to which carbon dioxide absorbed
by carbon sinks can be counted towards the Kyoto targets). The meeting also adopted the
Marrakech Ministerial Declaration as an input
into the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg.
COP 8 (New Delhi, 2002) 25
decisions, 1 resolution
The
Delhi Ministerial Declaration on Climate Change and
Sustainable Development reiterated the need to build on the outcomes of the World Summit.
COP 9 (Milan, 2003) 22
decisions, 1 resolution
Adopted decisions focus on the institutions and procedures of the Kyoto Protocol and on the implementation
of the UNFCCC. The formal decisions adopted by the Conference intend to strengthen the institutional
framework of both the Convention and the Kyoto Protocol.
New emission reporting guidelines based on the
good-practice guidance provided by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change were adopted to
provide a sound and reliable foundation for reporting on changes in carbon concentrations resulting from
land-use changes and forestry. These reports are due in 2005. Another major advance was the agreement on
the
modalities and scope for carbon absorbing
forest-management projects in the clean development mechanism (CDM). This agreement completes the
package adopted in Marrakesh two years ago and expands the CDM to an additional area of activity. Two funds
were further developed, the
Special Climate Change
Fund and the
Least Developed
Countries Fund, which will support technology transfer, adaptation projects and other activities.
COP 10 (Buenos Aires, 2004) 18
decisions, 1 resolution
Parties gathered at COP-10 to complete the unfinished business from the Marrakesh Accords and
to reassess the building blocks of the process and to discuss the framing of a new dialogue on the
future of climate change policy. They addressed and adopted numerous decisions and conclusions
on issues relating to:
development and
transfer of technologies;
land use, land
use change and forestry; the UNFCCC’s
financial mechanism; Annex I national communications; capacity building;
adaptation and response measures; and
UNFCCC Article 6 (education,training and public
awareness) examining the issues of adaptation and mitigation, the needs of least developed countries
(LDCs), and future strategies to address climate change.
COP 11 (Montreal, 2005) 15 decisions and 1
resolution
COP 11 addressed issues such as capacity building, development and transfer of technologies, the adverse effects
of climate change on developing and least developed countries, and several financial and budget-related
issues, including guidelines to the Global Environment Facility (GEF), which serves as the Convention’s financial mechanism. The COP
also agreed on a process for considering future action beyond 2012 under the UNFCCC.
COP 12 (Nairobi, 2006) 9 decisions and 1
resolution
A wide range of decisions were adopted at COP 12 designed to mitigate climate change and help countries
adapt to the effects. There was agreement on the activities for the next few years under the "Nairobi work programme on Impacts,
Vulnerability and Adaptation", as well as on the management of the Adaptation Fund under the
Kyoto Protocol. Parties welcomed the "Nairobi Framework" which will provide
additional support to developing countries to successfully develop projects for the CDM. Parties in Nairobi also
adopted rules of procedure for the Kyoto Protocol's Compliance Committee, making it fully operational.
COP 13 (Bali, 2007) 14 decisions and 1
resolution
COP 13 adopted the Bali Road Map as
a two-year process towards a strengthened international climate change agreement. The Bali Road Map
includes the
Bali Action Plan
that was adopted by Decision 1/CP.13. It also includes the Ad Hoc Working Group on Further Commitments for
Annex I Parties under the Kyoto Protocol (AWG-KP)
negotiations and their 2009 deadline, the launch of the Adaptation Fund, the
scope and content of the
Article 9
review of the Kyoto Protocol, as well as decisions on technology transfer and on reducing emissions from deforestation.
COP 14 (Poznan, 2008) 9 decisions and 1
resolution
COP 14 launched the Adaptation Fund under the
Kyoto Protocol, to be filled by a 2% levy on projects under the Clean Development Mechanism.
Parties agreed that the Adaptation Fund Board should have legal capacity to grant direct access to
developing countries. Further progress was made on a number of issues of particular importance to
developing countries, including adaptation,
finance, technology, REDD and disaster management. COP 14 also saw Parties endorse an
intensified negotiating schedule for 2009.
COP 15 (Copenhagen, 2009) 13 decisions and 1
resolution
The Copenhagen Climate Change Conference raised climate change policy to the highest political level, with
close to 115 world leaders attending the high-level segment. It produced the Copenhagen Accord, which was supported by a majority of
countries. This included agreement on the long-term goal of limiting the maximum global average temperature
increase to no more than 2 degrees Celsius about pre-industrial levels, subject to a review in 2015. A
number of developing countries agreed to communicate their efforts to limit greenhouse gas emissions every
two years. On long-term finance,
developed countries agreed to support a goal of mobilizing US$100 billion a year by 2020 to address the
needs of developing countries.
COP 16 (Cancun, 2010) 12 decisions and 1
resolution
COP 16 produced the Cancun
Agreements. Among the highlights, Parties agreed to: commit to a maximum temperature rise of 2 degrees
Celsius above pre-industrial levels; make fully operational by 2012 a technology mechanism to boost the
development and spread of new climate-friendly technologies; establish a Green Climate Fund to
provide financing for action in developing countries via thematic funding windows. They also agreed on a
new Cancun Adaptation
Framework, which included setting up an Adaptation Committee to
promote strong, cohesive action on adaptation.
COP 17 (Durban, 2011) 19 decisions and 1
resolution
At COP 17, Parties decided to adopt a universal climate agreement by 2015, with work beginning under a new
group called the Ad Hoc working Group on the Durban Platform for Enhanced Action (ADP). Parties also agreed a second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol from 1 January 2013. A significantly advanced
framework for the reporting of emission reductions for both developed and developing countries was also
agreed, taking into consideration the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities.
COP 18 (Doha, 2012) 26 decisions and 1
resolution
AT COP 18, governments set out a timetable to adopt a universal climate agreement by 2015, to come into
effect in 2020. They completed the work under the
Bali Action Plan to concentrate on
new work towards a 2015 agreement under a single negotiating stream, the ADP. Governments emphasized the need to increase their ambition to cut
greenhouse gases and to help vulnerable countries to adapt. COP 18 also saw the launch of a second commitment period under the Kyoto Protocol, from 1
January 2013 to 31 December 2020, with the adoption of the Doha Amendment to the Kyoto Protocol.