A Brief Overview of Decisions
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) 14 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 UNFCC