Commonly used terms: Kyoto, Framework, IPCC & Bali

This section is dedicated to provide you some information on how to be involved in some of the many environmental activities around you.

Ever get confused on the terms that some of the people used in the field? Couldn’t understand terms like Kyoto, framework, IPCC, COP, UNEP, etc. Don’t worry and let’s start at the very beginning to understand some of the terms commonly used.

Framework

In 1992, the United Nation Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) held an Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. As a result of that, the United Nation Framework on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was created. It is an international environmental treaty to combat the global warming scenario by reducing the green house gasses but there was no legal commitment binding all the participating countries. A total of 191 countries have signed the agreement. Since 1995, the framework had annual meeting which is known as Conferences of the Parties (COP). The first COP meeting (COP 1) was in The Berlin Mandate. This year, 2008, COP 14 is scheduled to be held in Poland.

Kyoto

It is used to refer the Kyoto Protocol. It is an agreement made in COP 3 in1997 and came into force in 2005. The agreement also aims to reduce emission and stabilize climate change effect and it will end in 2012. Developed countries are to reduce its emission to an average of 5.2% of their 1990 level. However, the United States of America as the main contributor of air pollution have refused to sign the agreement.

IPCC

Use to refer the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. It is established by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) with the tasked to scientifically assess the impact of climate change. It does not do research or monitor the impacts of climate change but rather creating a platform to where accurate, objective information on climate change and mitigation method could be shared. IPCC also gave prediction on the impacts of global warming.

Finally, last and simple word to remember is Bali.

Bali is an island in Indonesia where COP 13 was held in December 2007. The main topic there was to create a foundation of an action plan after the expiries of Kyoto Protocol in 2012 and methods to further reduce carbon emissions. Although this term may not be as popular as the other terms given, but it is good to know in case it is mention.

That is all for now. Next time, terms like carbon trading, carbon footprint, UNEP and greenhouse gases will be explained.