United Nations Climate Change Conference
Read the latest news and information regarding World Scouting presence in the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen (COP15), 7 to 18 December 2009.
Over a decade ago, most countries joined an international treaty - the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change - to begin to consider what can be done to reduce global warming and to cope with whatever temperature increases are inevitable. More recently, a number of nations approved an addition to the treaty, called the Kyoto Protocol, which has more powerful (and legally binding) measures. The Protocol’s first commitment period began in 2008 and ends in 2012. A strong multilateral framework needs to be in place by 2009 to ensure that there is no gap between the end of the Kyoto Protocol’s first commitment period in 2012 and the entry into force of a future regime.
On Thursday 10th December the voices of young people around the world were heard at the UNFCCC COP 15 Conference. Youth and Future Generations Day was an opportunity for youth organizations to share their thoughts and ideas on climate change through a variety of actions, workshops and presentations. Scouting joined in this celebration of youth with a presentation explaining why Scouts are part of the solution to climate change. The presentation, given to a wide audience of conference participants, focused on showcasing what Scouts are doing all around the world to raise awareness of climate change and how Scouts are taking action to improve the environment.
December 14- Scouts attended one of the many high level youth briefings that occur throughout the duration of the Conference. This 30-minute event provided an opportunity for Dr. Rajendra Pachauri, Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [IPCC] to make a short intervention to discuss the linkages between climate science and COP 15 negotiations. His discussion relating to the processes of IPPC was followed by questions from youth in attendance.
General information
The United Nations Climate Change Conference is taking place at the Bella Center in Copenhagen, Denmark, between December 7 and December 18, 2009. The conference includes the 15th Conference of the Parties (COP 15) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the 5th Meeting of the Parties (COP/MOP 5) to the Kyoto Protocol.
The negotiating process on climate change revolves around the sessions of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP), which meets every year to review the implementation of the Convention. The COP adopts decisions and resolutions, published in reports of the COP. Successive decisions taken by the COP make up a detailed set of rules for practical and effective implementation of the Convention. The COP serves as the meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (CMP), which also adopts decisions and resolutions on the implementation of its provisions.
Visit the official website for more information.
