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Fulfillment of Rio Conference Commitment
This column is based on national government reports to the United Nations Climate Convention secretariat as to whether or not a country expects to meet
the commitment it made at the signing of the Framework Convention on Climate Change in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 at the occasion of the United Nations
Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED). The commitment was to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases to 1990 levels by
the year 2000.
= Will meet the Rio Conference commitment.
= Will meet the Rio Conference commitment unintentionally.
= Will not meet the Rio Conference commitment.
Information source: United Nations Framework Convention for Climate Change, and reference documentFCCC/CP/1996/12 and
FCCC/SBI/1997/19/ADD.1.
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Proposed targets for Annex-1 reductions of greenhouse gases
WWFs assessment of proposals the parties have submitted for the post-2000 commitments of industrialized countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,
in particular carbon dioxide. Figures for reductions are the core of the Kyoto protocol.
The score reflects whether the proposals constitute an appropriate first step to combat climate change or not.
= Supports greenhouse gas reductions for industrialized countries that are greater than 5% in 2005 and 10% in 2010.
= Supports greenhouse gas reductions for industrialized countries that are equal to 5% in 2005 and 10% in 2010.
= Supports greenhouse gas reductions for industrialized countries that are less than 5% in 2005 and 10% in 2010.
Information source: WWF Climate Change Campaign.
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Position on major loophole: The net approach
In addition to adopting strong targets for reductions of greenhouse gases, (particularly carbon dioxide), it is absolutely essential that a wide range
of so-called "flexibility mechanisms" are not allowed. Such mechanisms constitute major loopholes and thus threaten to undermine whatever figure is
agreed for the reductions of greenhouse gases. One of the disturbing loopholes is the proposal for using a "net approach" which refers to using the
carbon dioxide absorbed by forests to offset fossil fuel emissions. Several serious concerns exist in this regard which is why the net approach should
be rejected.
= Against net approach
= Position unclear or pending
= In favor of net approach
Information Source:WWF Climate Change Campaign.
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Position on major loophole: Trading of fictitious emissions
Another major loophole is a proposal to establish an emissions trading system without strong reduction targets. A related proposal allows the
significant drop in emissions in Russia and Central and Eastern European countries,achieved unintentionally as a result of the collapse of their
economies, to be "banked" or sold in an emissions trading system. A trading system under such conditions will undermine possible emissions reductions.
= Opposes trading without strong targets and the inclusion of banking or trading on the basis of emission levels achieved before the first budget period.
= Favors trading with some restrictions.
= Favors trading with low targets and the inclusion of banking or trading on the basis of emission levels achieved before the first budget period.
Information Source: WWF Climate Change Campaign
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Energy Efficiency Performance
WWF studies have shown that efficient energy use is the key requirement as a first step to combat climate change. But efficiency differs from country to
country. While not necessarily being an argument for differentiation of commitments among developed countries, this column shows the differences in
energy efficiency, measured in energy consumption per unit of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) expressed in oil equivalents per US$ in 1994 prices.
It demonstrates the potential for cost-effective measures to be taken to protect the climate.
= utilizes less than 0.15 kg of oil equivalents to produce one U.S. dollar of GDP.
= utilizes 0.15-0.25 kg of oil equivalents to produce one U.S. dollar of GDP.
= utilizes more than 0.25 kg of oil equivalents to produce one U.S. dollar of GDP.
Information Source: World Resources Yearbook 96/97, World Resources Institute (Washington DC) 1996.
Data of the Carbon Dioxide Information Analysis Centre, Massachusetts, USA,1996. Fischer Weltalmanach 1997, Frankfurt,1996.
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