News Archive

News Archive 2008

	United Nations Climate Change Conference - Poznań, Poland Lays Foundation for Copenhagen Deal 13 December 2008 Poznań, Poland The United Nations Climate Change Conference - Poznań, Poland ended early Saturday with a clear commitment from governments to shift into full negotiating mode next year in order to shape an ambitious and effective international response to climate change, to be agreed in Copenhagen at the end of 2009. Press release (133 kB) fr (212 kB) esp (191 kB) rus (248 kB)
	UNFCCC chief welcomes EU deal on climate 12 December 2008 Poznań, Poland The Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Yvo de Boer, welcomed the news that the European Union has reached an agreement on climate change. "The European Union's climate deal sends a clear message to the negotiations in Poznań and onwards to Copenhagen that difficult roadblocks can be overcome and resolved," he said. Statement (34 kB)
	Statement by United Nations Secretary-General Ban-Ki moon at the opening of the High-Level Segment of COP 14 in Poznań 11 December 2008 Poznań, Poland In a speech at the opening of the High-Level Segment of the Conference, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called for global solidarity on climate change. He said that the current crises of climate change and the global economy presented an opportunity to address both challenges simultaneously, and that a new Green Deal spurring green growth would work for all nations, rich as well as poor. Statement (76 kB)
	Fourth Meeting of the Adaptation Fund Board Bonn, Germany 15-17 December 2008 More
	Statement by Yvo de Boer at the opening of the High-Level Segment of COP 14 in Poznań 11 December 2008 Poznań, Poland Addressing Ministers and Heads of State gathered for the High-Level Segment of the the Conference, Yvo de Boer urged them to show leadership on climate change, and to fulfil the promise they made to the world - the Bali Road Map – in response to the greatest threat hanging over humanity. He also called on them to show the world how they intended to deliver these promises together. Statement (80 kB)
	High-level Segment of the United Nations Climate Change Conference - Poznań, Poland set to begin 10 December 2008 Poznań, Poland The High-level Segment of the gathering of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is set to begin on Thursday with speeches by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, four Heads of State and Government, as well as 145 Environment Ministers and senior government representatives. Ministers from the 189 countries attending the Conference will converge for the first time since the landmark UN climate meeting in Bali to discuss a path forward toward a new global climate change deal. Press release (152 kB)
	REDD Web Platform A web platform aimed at sharing information on reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD) in developing countries was launched recently. Through this web portal, developing countries can better access information made available by Parties, relevant organizations and stakeholders in a number of related areas. REDD Web Platform
	Forty-fourth meeting of the CDM Executive Board - CDM EB 44 Poznań, Poland 26-28 November 2008 The forty-fourth meeting of the CDM Executive Board concluded on 28 November. More View On-demand webcast
	Thirteenth meeting of the Joint Implementation Supervisory Committee - JISC 13 Poznań, Poland 27-28 November 2008 The thirteenth meeting of the Joint Implementation Supervisory Committee (JISC) concluded on 28 November. The JISC considered a number of issues with regard to the operation of the Track 2 procedure it oversees, and related governance matters. More View On-demand webcast
	United Nations Climate Change Conference - Poznań, Poland Gets Underway with Calls for Urgent Need for Progress in Designing Copenhagen Deal 1 December 2008 Poznań, Poland The United Nations Climate Change Conference - Poznań, Poland kicked off Monday, 1 December. The two-week meeting, the fourteenth Conference of the 192 Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the fourth meeting of the 183 Parties to the Kyoto Protocol, is the halfway mark in the negotiations on an ambitious and effective international response to climate change. The deal is to be clinched in Copenhagen at the end of 2009 and will take effect in 2013, the year after the first phase of the Kyoto Protocol expires. Press release (168 kB)
	Statement by Yvo de Boer at the opening of the fourteenth session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 14), Poznań, 1 December 2008 1 December 2008 Poznań, Poland In an address at the opening of the Climate Change conference in Poznań, UNFCCC Executive Secretary Yvo de Boer told delegates that they needed to make important decisions that would lay a solid foundation for an ambitious agreed outcome in Copenhagen, and urged them to focus on what united them rather than what divided them. Statement (36 kB)
	Latest edition of the UNFCCC newsletter 26 November 2008 Bonn, Germany In this final edition of the newsletter for 2008, the spotlight is on the Climate Change Conference in Poznań, Poland. Real progress needs to be made in the negotiations in Poznań in order to reach an ambitious international climate change deal in Copenhagen next year. Newsletter
	UNFCCC Executive Secretary: "Africa needs to be tied into the international response to climate change, both with regard to adaptation, as well as mitigation." Algiers, Algeria 19 November 2008 In a speech to the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment in Algiers, Yvo de Boer said that an agreed outcome at Copenhagen must be more Africa-friendly and spur enabling support for the continent. He stressed that the international climate change process has the opportunity to move towards a self-financing climate compact that can generate such support for Africa and other developing countries, not least by expanding the carbon market. Speech (177 kB)
	UNFCCC Deputy Executive Secretary: “One has to contemplate nothing less than a transformation of the global economy to a low-emissions development path” California, USA 19 November 2008 Addressing the Governors’ Global Climate Summit in Beverly Hills, Richard Kinley highlighted that practical state-level action can be an important step towards a low-emissions global economy. Furthermore, he emphasized that action at the state level can be a major contributor to the ability of national governments to commit to ambitious targets internationally. Speech (103 kB)
	UNFCCC Press Conference: Press briefing on Key Greenhouse Gas Data and expected outcomes of Poznań UNFCCC Headquarters Bonn, Germany 17 November 2008 Press release (175 kB) esp (136 kB) fr (156 kB) rus (201 kB) "Rising industrialized countries emissions underscore urgent need for political action on climate change at Poznań meeting" Presentation UNFCCC Data 2008: highlights More View On-demand webcast
	UNFCCC Executive Secretary: "Copenhagen 2009 needs to set a clear overall direction for future global climate change action that rings in a global green revolution." Rotterdam, Netherlands 12 November 2008 On the occasion of the Club de Madrid's General Assembly, Yvo de Boer addressed the special session of the Global Leadership for Climate Action. He pointed out that in the context of the financial crisis, Copenhagen 2009 represents an opportunity to establish a framework for a new green deal that will help put the economy back on its feet. He also highlighted the political essentials needed for an ambitious agreed outcome in Copenhagen. Speech (192 kB)
	Meeting on experiences with performance indicators for monitoring and evaluation of capacity-building Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 6-7 November 2008 The meeting focused on experiences on using performance indicators at the national level. More
	Workshop on Investment and Financial Flows to address Climate Change - An Update Bonn, Germany 10-11 November 2008 The UNFCCC secretariat is about to publish an update of its publication entitled "Investment and Financial Flows to Address Climate Change." The objective of the workshop was to share the key findings of the update and to receive feedback, identify gaps and prioritize needs for further work on investment and financial flows to address climate change that can be undertaken by interested organizations. More
	UNFCCC Executive Secretary: "A new technology mechanism could unleash the full potential of technology and connect the world through innovation and technology cooperation." Beijing, China 7 November 2008, On the occasion of the opening of the Beijing High-Level Conference on Climate Change: Technology Development and Technology Transfer, Yvo de Boer pointed out that current arrangements for technology transfer have been insufficient. He stressed that technology and finance underpin enhanced mitigation and adaptation action, and that technology is crucial for an ambitious outcome in Copenhagen 2009. Speech (157 kB) more
	Meeting of the Expert Group on Technology Transfer (EGTT) Dublin, Ireland 21-23 October 2008 At this fourth and final meeting for this year, the Group discussed several key issues which will serve as input to the Ad hoc Working Group on Long-term Cooperative Action under the Convention. More
	Pre-sessional workshop on the second review of the Kyoto Protocol pursuant to its Article 9 Athens, Greece 22-23 October 2008 This pre-sessional workshop was held in preparation for the second review of the Kyoto Protocol pursuant to its Article 9, which will take place at Poznań in December. The workshop achieved its main objective, which was to get a good understanding of positions of Parties and an assessment of what can be achieved in Poznan and how. Central to the exchange of views were the issues of: improving the mechanisms; extending the share of proceeds to Joint Implementation and Emissions Trading to meet the costs of adaptation; and facilitating participation in the Clean Development Mechanism. More
	UNFCCC Executive Secretary: "Given the limited time available between now and the Conference in Copenhagen next year, it is critical that the Climate Change Conference in Poznań delivers concrete results." New York, USA 27 October 2008 In a statement to the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Yvo de Boer stressed the importance of the upcoming negotiations in Poznań. He said Ministers meeting in Poznań must give a strong political signal to move towards a shared vision for long-term cooperative action on climate change. Speech (148 kB)
	UNFCCC secretariat launches "Changing Lives" photo contest Bonn, Germany 27 October 2008 The UNFCCC secretariat is pleased to launch "Changing Lives", a photo contest to raise awareness about the Kyoto Protocol's Clean Development Mechanism. Whether it's a photo highlighting the employment opportunities created by CDM, the greening of industry, or the lighting of a community or a kitchen table, the judging panel wants to see your vision of this remarkable, innovative mechanism. The secretariat will begin accepting entries on 1 November through a dedicated upload facility linked to the CDM website. Entry is free. Take your best shot! more
	Pre-sessional workshop on the second review of the Kyoto Protocol pursuant to its Article 9 Athens, Greece 22-23 October 2008 This pre-sessional workshop was held in preparation for the second review of the Kyoto Protocol pursuant to its Article 9, which will take place at Poznań in December. More
	Forty-third meeting of the CDM Executive Board - CDM EB 43 Santiago, Chile 22-24 October 2008 The proposed agenda and its annotations for the forty-third meeting of the CDM Executive Board are now available online. More View On-demand webcast
	UNFCCC Executive Secretary: "Africa must seize the window of opportunity that the UN climate change negotiating process provides." Cotonou, Republic of Benin 21 October 2008 Addressing a ministerial conference on climate change held in the Republic of Benin, Ms. June Budhooram, on behalf of Yvo de Boer, said that the current negotiations on the road to Copenhagen present African countries with a golden opportunity to change things for the better and design a Copenhagen deal that works for Africa. For this to happen, it is crucial that African countries put their concerns on the table and push for solutions that help Africa adapt to the impacts of climate change, that boost technology transfer and capacity-building and that green Africa’s economic growth. Speech (168 kB)
	Yvo de Boer briefs the press ahead of the Poznań Conference New York, USA 10 October 2008 At the noon briefing at United Nations Headquarters in New York, Yvo de Boer spoke about expectations for the UN Climate Change Conference in Poznań and how it could be impacted by the current financial crisis. View On-demand webcast
	The Kyoto Mechanisms: Key to combating climate change? New York, USA 9 October 2008 The UN’s top climate change official Yvo de Boer and US economist Jeffrey Sachs took part in a debate on the merits of the carbon market in cutting global greenhouse gas emissions. The debate took place against the background of the current global financial crisis. View On-demand webcast Statement by Yvo de Boer (182 kB)
	Fifth meeting of the Compliance Committee Bonn, Germany 6-9 October 2008 The fifth meeting of the plenary of the Compliance Committee of the Kyoto Protocol was held in Bonn, Germany from 8 to 9 October 2008. This meeting was preceded by the sixth meeting of the enforcement branch, which took place from 6 to 7 October 2008 and the sixth meeting of the facilitative branch, which took place on 7 October 2008. The meetings were held at the Wissenschaftszentrum, Ahrstrasse 45, Bonn. Documents are available on the Compliance pages of the UNFCCC website. More (79 kB) View On-demand webcast
	Latest edition of the UNFCCC newsletter 8 October 2008 The latest edition of the UNFCCC newsletter focuses on progress made at the latest round of Climate Change Talks held in Accra in August. The next issue in November will look ahead to the Poznań Conference, a major milestone on the road to Copenhagen 2009. Newsletter
	Training of Trainers workshop held on preparing technology transfer projects for financing Vienna, Austria 29 September - 1 October 2008 Participants were trained in preparing project proposals for financing, in particular project proposals related to environmentally sound technologies to mitigate and/or adapt to climate change. Special attention was given to financial aspects such as financial structuring and risk management. The UNFCCC will organize regional training workshops in Africa, Asia and the Pacific, and Latin America and the Caribbean in 2009. More
	Forty-second meeting of the CDM Executive Board - CDM EB 42 Bonn, Germany 24-26 September 2008 The report of the forty-second meeting of the CDM Executive Board is now available online. More View On-demand webcast
	From refrigerators, to cable cars, to solar lights, Kyoto Protocol mechanism evolves to meet demand for clean, sustainable development Bonn, Germany 26 September 2008 The way is clear for the launch of a wide array of new projects in the energy efficiency and renewable areas, ranging from refrigerators to solar-power high-efficiency lights and geothermal heat for developing country households, under the Kyoto Protocol’s Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), opening significant opportunities to cut greenhouse gas emissions and support sustainable development at the same time. Press release (119 kB)
	UNFCCC Executive Secretary: “Copenhagen 2009 needs to be a strong and ambitious policy framework that sets a clear overall direction for future global climate change action” The Hague, Netherlands 25 September 2008 In a speech given in the Hague on the development dimensions of a new global climate change agreement, Yvo de Boer outlined the essentials to be included in an agreed outcome in Copenhagen. Since future global climate change action should not jeopardize developing countries’ overriding goals of poverty eradication and economic growth, he said that Copenhagen 2009 had to open the door for viable, climate-friendly economic growth on a global scale. Speech (202 kB)
	Third meeting of the Adaptation Fund Board Bonn, Germany 15-18 September 2008 More
	12th meeting of the Joint Implementation Supervisory Committee (JISC-12) Bonn, Germany 11-12 September 2008 The proposed agenda and its annotations for the twelfth meeting of the Joint Implementation Supervisory Committee (JISC) are now available online. More View On-demand webcast
	UNFCCC Executive Secretary: The agreed outcome in Copenhagen 2009 needs to be ambitious on all fronts of climate change abatement Pohnpei, Micronesia 12 September 2008 Yvo de Boer, Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC, addressed Heads of State and Government, as well as Ministers on the occasion of the Ministerial Segment of the 19th meeting of the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme in Pohnpei, Micronesia. He stressed that Small Island Developing States (SIDS) have much to gain under a strong agreed outcome in Copenhagen 2009. This includes both mitigation support and - crucially, increased funding for adaptation. Mr. de Boer called on SIDS to be more vocal regarding their needs under an agreed outcome in Copenhagen and to bring elaborated proposals for solutions to the negotiations. Speech (117 kB)
	Lecture by Yvo de Boer, “The need for global low-emissions economic development” at Korea Green Foundation Seoul, Republic of Korea 9 September 2008 The lecture provides an overview of climate change science and the state-of-play of the negotiations under the Bali Road Map. The central theme of the lecture focuses on the need for Copenhagen 2009 to ring in a global low-emissions economic development plan. Summary (115 kB)
	Joint Implementation (JI) Technical Workshop Bonn, Germany 9 -10 September 2008 The fifth JI workshop is intended to allow the Joint Implementation Supervisory Committee (JISC) to consider its experiences in supervising the verification procedure under the JISC (JI Track 2 procedure), including the experiences of the applicant independent entities. More
	UNFCCC Executive Secretary: Public Understanding of Climate Change Crucial to Securing Copenhagen Deal Geneva, Switzerland 31 August 2008 In a speech in Geneva to mark the 20th anniversary of the IPCC, Roberto Acosta, on behalf of UNFCCC Executive Secretary Yvo de Boer, praised the achievement of the IPCC in opening the world’s eyes to climate change. He stressed that public understanding of climate change played a crucial role in securing the political commitment necessary to reach a strong agreed outcome in Copenhagen in 2009. Statement (101 kB)
	UN Climate Change Negotiations Speed up in Accra Accra, Ghana 27 August 2008 The latest round of UN-sponsored global Climate Change Talks in Accra, Ghana concluded Wednesday with clear signals that the pace of negotiations to get to a deal on long-term strengthened international action on climate change is picking up. Important progress was made in Accra on a number of key issues for the deal, to be clinched at the Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen in December 2009. Furthermore, Parties under the Kyoto Protocol advanced their work on the tools and rules available to developed countries to set ambitious reduction targets beyond 2012. Press release (128 kB) esp (196 kB) fra (215 kB) rus (274 kB)
	Accra UN Climate Change Talks Kick off With Warning That “Clock Is Ticking Down” to New International Climate Change Deal in Copenhagen Accra, Ghana 21 August 2008 The latest round of UN-sponsored global climate change negotiations got underway Thursday in Accra, Ghana. More than 1600 participants, including government delegates from 160 countries and representatives from business and industry, environmental organizations and research institutions are attending the one-week meeting of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Press release (130 kB)
	Statement by the Executive Secretary at the opening of the Accra Climate Change Talks 2008 Accra, Ghana 21 August 2008 Addressing delegates at the opening of the Accra Climate Change Talks, UNFCCC Executive Secretary Yvo de Boer said there was “little time left to get a solid negotiating text on the table” before the crucial meeting in Copenhagen in 2009. He stressed that "concrete proposals for solutions from all Governments” were necessary to drive the process forward. Statement (124 kB)
	New-look UNFCCC newsletter The UNFCCC newsletter has been relaunched with a new design and more substantive content, with a view to keeping readers better informed of the international climate change process at this important juncture. Newsletter
	CDM EB 41 - meeting report now available The forty-first meeting of the CDM Executive Board concluded on 2 August. The report of the meeting, including its annexes, is now available. More View On-demand webcast
	Forty-first meeting of the CDM Executive Board - CDM EB 41 Bonn, Germany 30 July - 2 August 2008 The proposed agenda and its annotations for the forty-first meeting of the CDM Executive Board are now available online. more
	International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) launches new aviation carbon calculator Montreal , Canada 22 July 2008 The ICAO has launched a new carbon calculator for the aviation industry. It calculates carbon dioxide only, and does not include other greenhouse gases, since the scientific community has not yet agreed on how to calculate multipliers. The calculator has been approved by the Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection, and was developed with input from aviation experts, manufacturers and airlines. ICAO carbon calculator
	UN Secretary-General BAN calls on G8 countries to agree to ambitious mid-term emission reduction targets 10 July 2008 Whilst welcoming the statement of the G8 on climate change and the environment made in Hokkaido, Japan, this week, UN Secretary-General BAN-Ki moon called on G8 countries to agree to ambitious mid-term emission reduction targets for developed countries by next year in Copenhagen. Secretary-General's statement G8 website
	Important communication from the COP 14/CMP 4 host country team to Parties regarding accommodation in Poznań More (81 kB)
	Information Note, Fellowship Programme 10 July 2008 The United Nations Climate Change secretariat announces the launch of its fellowship programme, the objective of which is to contribute to building capacity for addressing climate change in Parties not included to Annex I to the Convention, in particular Parties that are small island developing States or least developed countries. Information note (137 kB)
	Address by Yvo de Boer, Executive Secretary at the World Petroleum Congress Madrid, Spain 3 July 2008 Yvo de Boer, Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC, today addressed the World Petroleum Congress, outlining the Bali Road Map and the need for the petroleum industry to become fully involved in the solution to climate change, including by implementing Carbon Capture and Storage demonstration projects. The statement also invites the petroleum industry to provide their insights on a Copenhagen agreed outcome in 2009. Speech (51 kB) more
	Eleventh meeting of the Joint Implementation Supervisory Committee - JISC 11 concluded Bonn, Germany 16 - 17 June 2008 The eleventh meeting of the Joint Implementation Supervisory Committee (JISC) concluded on 17 June. At the meeting, the JISC addressed a number of issues regarding the accreditation of independent entities and the JISC verification procedure. The report of the meeting is available on the UNFCCC JI website. more View On-demand webcast
	Substantial new funding in sustainable energy sector - new report by United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) 1 July 2008 According to the UNEP report "Global Trends in Sustainable Energy Investment 2008", released 1 July, over 148 billion USD in new funding entered the sustainable energy sector in 2007. Responding to the report, UNFCCC Executive Secretary Yvo de Boer said, "The positive trend in the renewable energy market is at least in part a business response to a policy expectation. If that expectation is not met, the conventional bottom-line will be the main driver for investment decisions." more
	UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to call for short- and medium-term CO2 targets at G8 summit in Japan 26 June 2008 Urging world leaders to press forward in devising a strengthened international climate change agreement, Mr. Ban said: “In Hokkaido, I will ask for short- and medium-term targets for reducing greenhouse gases. It is not enough to talk of change by 2050. If we want real change, we must begin now – with targets for real progress by 2020.” more
	Climate Change Convention Parties discuss methodological issues on how to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries Tokyo, Japan 25 - 27 June 2008 140 delegates from more than 60 UNFCCC Parties and international organizations gathered in Tokyo from 25 to 27 June to continue their discussions on methodological matters related to the reduction of emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries. more
	John Kilani appointed Director in support of Kyoto Protocol carbon market mechanisms Bonn, Germany 24 June 2008 Mr. John Kilani has accepted the post of Director of the Sustainable Development Mechanisms (SDM) programme at the United Nations climate change secretariat. The appointment was announced by UNFCCC Executive Secretary Yvo de Boer, who expressed his confidence in the new Director, set to take up duties later this summer. Press release (217 kB)
	Progress made at second meeting of the Adaptation Fund Board Bonn, Germany 16 - 19 June 2008 Important issues were discussed at this second meeting, where the work plan of the Board for 2008 was adopted. The report of the first meeting was also adopted, although several issues relating to the role and responsibilities of the Adaptation Fund Board remained unresolved. Summary more
	2nd meeting of the Adaptation Fund Board Bonn, Germany 16 - 19 June 2008 The second meeting of the Adaptation Fund Board took place at the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, Dahlmannstr. 4, Bonn, Germany, from 16 - 19 June. more
	UNFCCC Deputy Executive Secretary Richard Kinley urges the energy sector to show leadership in tackling climate change Barcelona, Spain 16 June 2008 In an address to executives from the European electricity industry gathered in Barcelona, UNFCCC Deputy Executive Secretary Richard Kinley called on the energy sector to actively engage in efforts to craft a future climate change agreement. Speech (38 kB)
	Bonn UN Climate Change Conference Concludes with Calls to Step up Pace of Negotiations Leading up to 2009 Copenhagen Agreement Bonn, Germany 13 June 2008 The latest round of UN-sponsored global climate change negotiations concluded Friday in Bonn, Germany with calls to step up the pace of negotiations in the run-up to a crucial climate change summit next year. Press release (134 kB) esp (166 kB) fra (179 kB) rus (215 kB)
	Decision by the enforcement branch of the Compliance Committee not to proceed on question of non-compliance Bonn, Germany 15 June 2008 The fifth meeting of the enforcement branch of the Compliance Committee concluded on 15 June with the decision not to proceed further regarding a question of non-compliance with respect to Canada. On-demand webcast coverage of the proceedings is available via the link below. more View On-demand webcast
	New UN atlas shows effects of climate change in Africa A new atlas has been unveiled by UNEP showing the dramatic effects of climate change. The publication features over 300 satellite images taken in every country in Africa .The 'before' and 'after' photographs, some of which span a 35-year period, offer striking snapshots of environmental changes across the continent. website
	OECD Forum 2008 on Climate Change Paris, France 3 June 2008 Speaking at the OECD Forum 2008 on Climate Change, Growth and Stability in Paris, Executive Secretary, Yvo de Boer, spoke of how a Copenhagen deal in 2009 can change the direction of economic growth by putting in place a clever set of tools that reward innovation and entrepreneurial initiatives that lead to a low emissions economy. Speech (35 kB)
	Latest Round of Crucial UN Climate Change Negotiations Kick Off in Bonn Bonn, Germany 2 June 2008 The latest round of UN-sponsored global climate change negotiations got underway Monday in Bonn, Germany. More than 2,400 participants, including government delegates from 172 countries and representatives from business and industry, environmental organizations and research institutions are attending the two-week meeting of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Press release (133 kB) esp (137 kB) fra (156 kB) rus (204 kB)
	World Environment Day 5 June 2008 World Environment Day, commemorated each year on 5 June, is one of the principal vehicles through which the United Nations stimulates worldwide awareness of the environment and enhances political attention and action.The World Environment Day slogan for 2008 is Kick the Habit! Towards a Low Carbon Economy. more
	Outcome of 2nd meeting of the Expert Group on Technology Transfer Bonn, Germany 29 - 30 May 2008 The overall objective of the meeting was to develop the terms of reference for a strategy paper on facilitating the development, deployment, diffusion and transfer of technologies under the Convention beyond 2012. more
	UNFCCC Executive Secretary calls on transport sector to proactively help shape Copenhagen Climate Change Deal Leipzig, Germany 29 May 2008 Speaking at the International Transport Forum in Leipzig, UNFCCC Executive Secretary Yvo de Boer called on key stakeholders in the transport sector to help shape the UN climate change deal that will be clinched in Copenhagen at the end of 2009. According to the International Energy Agency, global emissions from transport are expected to increase by 80% by 2030 should political action not be taken. Speech (150 kB) Press release (145 kB) fra (139 kB) esp (151 kB) rus (162 kB) deu (143 kB) website
	UNFCCC Executive Secretary talks on how climate change impacts may drive conflict and fuel other drivers of conflict The Hague, the Netherlands 22 May 2008 In an address as part of the Hague debates series, Yvo de Boer spoke of the nexus between migration and climate change, and the possible security implications. He said that appropriate climate change abatement could reduce these security concerns. Speech (259 kB)
	Memorandum of Understanding on the exchange of CDM data 22 May 2008 The UNFCCC secretariat has signed the first memorandums of understanding with two important CDM information providers that should result in their receiving a faster, smoother flow of CDM data. more
	Convention on Biological Diversity - CBD, COP 9 Bonn, Germany 19 - 30 May 2008 The ninth meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 9), which took place in Bonn, concluded on 30 May.
	UNFCCC Executive Secretary addresses Carbon Expo Cologne, Germany 9 May 2008 Yvo de Boer gave a presentation at Carbon Expo on 9 May, outlining the importance of the carbon market in climate change abatement. Parties to the Kyoto Protocol have clearly indicated that the mechanisms including the CDM, emissions trading and JI, have a future beyond 2012, but that they should be enhanced. While the details of this need to be worked out, such an enhancement needs to ensure that all developing countries benefit from the market and that this constitutes a step towards a global low-emissions economic development plan. Speech (108 kB)
	UNFCCC Executive Secretary addresses European Patent Forum Lubljana, Slovenia 7 May 2008 In a speech given today at the European Patent Forum in Lubljana, Slovenia, Yvo de Boer emphasized the importance of technology development and transfer to developing countries. He further stressed the need to identify workable ways of handling intellectual property rights and patents to unleash the full potential of technology in the fight against climate change. Speech (67 kB) Presentation
	International Day for Biological Diversity - 22 May 2008 This year’s theme for the International Day for Biological Diversity (IBD), “Biodiversity and Agriculture,” seeks to highlight the importance of sustainable agriculture not only to preserve biodiversity, but also to ensure that we will be able to feed the world, maintain agricultural livelihoods, and enhance human well being into the 21st century and beyond. more
	Workshop to prepare the second review of the Kyoto Protocol Bonn, Germany 28-29 April 2008 A workshop was held in Bonn from 28-29 April to discuss the views of Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (KP) on how to address a number of issues related to the Protocol. Topics under discussion included meeting the costs of adaptation, and the scope, effectiveness and functioning of the KP mechanisms, such as the Clean Development Mechanism. A summary of the outcome will be posted as soon as it is available. more
	UNFCCC Executive Secretary addresses Forum on Climate Change and Science & Technology Innovation in Beijing Beijing, China 24-25 April 2008 Yvo de Boer delivered a speech at the Forum on Climate Change and Science & Technology Innovation in Beijing, and stressed the importance of technology development and transfer in tackling climate change and its impacts. Speech (52 kB) more
	Address by Yvo de Boer, Executive Secretary, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change on behalf of Secretary-General BAN Ki-moon at the Third Major Economies Meeting Paris, France 17 April 2008 Speech (38 kB)
	Decision on non-compliance reached by enforcement branch of the Compliance Committee Bonn, Germany 16-17 April 2008 The fourth meeting of the enforcement branch of the Compliance Committee under the Kyoto Protocol concluded 17 April 2008 with a final decision of non-compliance with respect to Greece. more Final decision (135 kB) View On-demand webcast
	Kyoto Protocol clean development mechanism passes 1000th registered project milestone Bonn, Germany 14 April 2008 The Kyoto Protocol’s clean development mechanism (CDM) has registered its 1000th project, an energy efficiency project in Andhra Pradesh, India, expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by more than 34,000 tonnes annually. Press release (144 kB)
	UNFCCC Executive Secretary Yvo de Boer speaks on the outcomes of the United Nations Climate Change Talks 2008 New York, USA 11 April 2008 At a briefing at the UN Secretariat in New York, UNFCCC Executive Secretary Yvo de Boer speaks on the outcomes of the United Nations Climate Change Talks in Bangkok (31 March - 4 April), the first round of negotiations on a new global climate change agreement, to be concluded in Copenhagen in 2009. View webcast
	UNFCCC Executive Secretary Yvo de Boer stresses link between policy-making and science at twenty-eighth session of IPCC Budapest, Hungary 09 April 2008 Speaking at the opening of the IPCC's 28th session in Budapest, Hungary (9-10 April), the UNFCCC Executive Secretary, Yvo de Boer, said that the link between policy-making and science needed to be stronger than ever before. "The task ahead is daunting," he said. "Parties have to negotiate one of the most complex international agreements in history in a very limited period of time, so they will need all the scientific support they can get." Speech (32 kB) website
	Results of expert meetings on technologies for adaptation and on the outcomes of the Nairobi work programme (NWP) Bangkok, Thailand 5 April and 7-9 April 2008 Following on the heels of the climate change talks in Bangkok, two important meetings took place in the Thai capital focusing on adaptation to climate change. more
	UN Bangkok Climate Change Talks Reach Agreement on Work Programme for 2008 + Send Important Signal to International Carbon Markets Bangkok, Thailand 4 April 2008 The UN Bangkok Climate Change Talks ended Friday with agreement on a work programme that structures negotiations on a long-term international climate change agreement, set to be concluded in Copenhagen by the end of 2009. The Bangkok meeting also sent a clear signal that the use of market-based mechanisms, such as the Kyoto Protocol’s Clean Development Mechanism, should be continued and improved as a way for developed countries to meet emission reduction targets and contribute towards sustainable development. Press release (132 kB)
	UN Climate Change Talks begins in Bangkok with warnings that little time remains for international community to negotiate 2009 Copenhagen agreement Bangkok, Thailand 31 March 2008 The UN Bangkok Climate Change talks got underway on Monday, the first major United Nations-sponsored meeting on climate change after the UN Climate Change Conference in Bali last year in December. At Bali, Parties agreed to step up international efforts to combat climate change and to launch formal negotiations to come to a long-term international agreement in Copenhagen by the end of 2009. The Bangkok meeting is designed to both map out a work programme that will lead to that agreement and to advance work on the rules through which emission reduction targets of developed countries can be met. Press release (135 kB) Statement by the Executive Secretary at the opening of the Bangkok Climate Change Talks 2008 (33 kB)
	Inaugural meeting of Kyoto Protocol's Adaptation Fund Board takes place - UN efforts expected to usher in new era in environmental financing Bonn, Germany 26-28 March 2008 The Adaptation Fund Board concluded its inaugural meeting in Bonn on Friday, March 28, in what is widely seen as a major step forward in delivering funding for developing countries to deal with the impacts of climate change. Press release (178 kB)
	Substantial progress on key issues at CDM EB 38 - Thirty-Eighth meeting of the Executive Board Bonn, Germany 12 -14 March 2008 The thirty-eighth meeting of the Executive Board of the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) wrapped up on Friday, March 14, with substantial progress being made on methodologies for emissions baseline setting and monitoring, and on the registration and issuance processes. All of the documents relating to EB 38 and previous meetings of the CDM board are available on the CDM website. Mr. Rajesh Kumar Sethi new Chair of the CDM Executive Board more (145 kB)
	CDM EB 38 - Thirty-Eighth meeting of the Executive Board Bonn, Germany 12 -14 March 2008 The proposed agenda and its annotations for the thirty-eighth meeting of the CDM Executive Board are now available online. more View On-demand webcast
	UNFCCC Executive Secretary speaks at Carbon Market Insights 2008 Copenhagen, Denmark 11 March 2008 Yvo de Boer today delivered a keynote speech on recent developments in the carbon markets in front of ministers and delegates attending the annual Carbon Market Insights 2008. Speech (107 kB) website
	Third Meeting of the enforcement branch of the Compliance Committee Bonn, Germany 4-6 March 2008 The third meeting of the enforcement branch of the Compliance Committee concluded 6 March 2008 with a unanimous decision by the branch on a preliminary finding of non-compliance. The full decision is available here. more View On-demand webcast
	2008 ZOOM Campaign kicks off in Bonn Bonn, Germany 4 March 2008 Schoolchildren from the Austrian towns of Bregenz and Rust put their best foot forward in protecting the global climate by kicking off the 2008 ZOOM Campaign during a visit to Haus Carstanjen on March 4. The children were welcomed by by Richard Kinley, Deputy Executive Secretary of the UN Climate Change Secretariat. more
	Carbon Forum America San Francisco 26-27 February 2008 In a statement at the opening of Carbon Forum America, Halldor Thorgeirsson, Director, Bali Road Map Support, UNFCCC, highlighted the growing importance of the carbon market in achieving climate-friendly economic growth that is globally viable. Speech (26 kB) Presentations by UNFCCC staff website
	10th Special Session of the Governing Council / Global Ministerial Environment Forum United Nations Environment Programme The Principality of Monaco 20-22 February 2008 website UNFCCC Executive Secretary speaks to UNEP Governing Council in Monaco Speaking to the UNEP Governing Council in Monaco, UNFCCC Executive Secretary Yvo de Boer called on small and medium-sized developing countries to pro-actively help craft a post-2012 climate change agreement Speech (122 kB)
	JISC 10 - Tenth Meeting of the Joint Implementation Supervisory Committee Bonn, Germany 21-22 February 2008 The agenda and its annotations for the tenth meeting of the JISC are now available online. More View on-demand webcast
	UNFCCC Executive Secretary addresses delegates at 6th Informal Meeting on Further Actions against Climate Change Tokyo 14 February 2008 In a speech held at the 6th Informal Meeting on Further Actions against Climate Change (14-15 February 2008), UNFCCC Executive Secretary Yvo de Boer said that a successful post-2012 climate change regime would need to ensure that all countries are tied into global green economic growth and that no country is side-lined from it. Speech (127 kB)
	UN General Assembly to debate on issues relating to Climate Change New York 11 February 2008 In a bid to build on the momentum generated by last December's landmark United Nations Climate Change Conference in Bali, Indonesia, the General Assembly is hosting a two-day debate on the crucial issue in New York on 11 and 12 February. View webcast coverage of the event from 11 February. General Assembly Homepage Speech (133 kB) View UN webcast
	UNFCCC Executive Secretary delivers keynote address at The Delhi Sustainable Development Summit 2008 Delhi 7 February 2008 Yvo de Boer has delivered a speech at the panel discussion on "The Scientific Evidence: A Call For Action" during DSDS 2008. The Delhi Sustainable Development Summit has become the most important gathering of leaders drawn from various parts of the world concerned about global sustainable development. View webcast coverage of the event from 7 February. Speech (127 kB) DSDS 2008 website
	CDM EB 37 - Thirty-seventh Meeting of the Executive Board Bonn, Germany 31 January - 1 February 2008 The agenda and its annotations for the thirty-seventh meeting of the CDM Executive Board are available online. More View On-demand webcast
	UNFCCC Executive Secretary speaks at Forum of Ministers of Environment of Latin America and Caribbean Santo Domingo 31 January 2008 Yvo de Boer addressed participants at the 16th Meeting of the Forum of Ministers of the Environment of Latin America and the Caribbean, organized by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, 27 January to 1 February 2008. Speech (92 kB) Press release (143 kB) esp (144 kB) UNEP website
	UNFCCC Executive Secretary gives opening presentation at Major Economies Meeting on Energy Security and Climate Change Honolulu 30 January 2008 At the second instalment of the US-sponsored Major Economies Meeting on Energy Security and Climate Change, UNFCCC Executive Secretary Yvo de Boer gave the opening presentation on the outcomes of the UN Climate Change Conference in Bali and the challenges facing the international community in developing a post-2012 climate change agreement by the end of 2009. Presentation (39 kB)
	Business Leaders in Davos Call for a Clear Post-2012 Climate Change Agreement Geneva and Davos 25 January 2008 Leading business figures expect clear results from a future framework agreement that includes internationally agreed emission targets to optimize its contribution to tackling climate change, guide investment decisions and avoid market distortions. Press release
	The Annual Meeting 2008 begins in Davos Davos, Switzerland 23 January 2008 Participants have arrived in Davos for the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting, which starts today. On the first afternoon there will be a World Economic Brainstorming, where participants will work together to identify the most pressing threat to growth and prioritize a plan of action. The opening session itself will address two of the key issues facing the world, climate change and terrorism. WEF website
	UNFCCC Executive Secretary, Yvo de Boer, responds to 'The Davos Question' posed to the public and the participants of the 2008 annual meeting of the World Economic Forum View video
	Host Country Agreement concerning United Nations Climate Change Conference - Poznan, 2008 signed in Bonn Bonn, 17 January 2008 H.E. Mr. Maciej Nowicki, Minister of Environment of Poland and Yvo de Boer, UNFCCC Executive Secretary, on Thursday signed the Host Country Agreement between the Government of Poland and the Secretariat concerning the United Nations Climate Change Conference - Poznan, 2008. According to Minister Nowicki, the conference - COP14/CMP4 - will be a "crucial stepping stone" on the way to COP15/CMP5 in Copenhagen. According to Executive Secretary de Boer, "Poznan will be critical to move towards common understanding of the financial and technical tools that are the essential catalysts for the global fight of climate change in both rich and developing countries."

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UNFCCC in the Press - Archives