“We underline that climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our time."  

(Copenhagen Accord, 18 December 2009)

While the United States should be a leader in confronting global warming, no one nation can solve this challenge alone.

Why We Need an Internationally Binding Agreement

To avoid the dangerous consequences of run-away climate change we must achieve an international agreement that commits countries to deep cuts in greenhouse gas emissions. NWF is working with environmental organizations around the world to meet this goal.The agreement must be established under the backing of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

In December 2010, NWF will send a delegation to Cancun, Mexico for the UNFCCC’s 16th Conference of the Parties (COP) to represent the views of our diverse members and supporters and to advocate for international solutions to the climate change crisis.

Outcome of Copenhagen in 2009

At the 2009 Conference of the Parties in Copenhagen, Denmark, the U.S. negotiated an agreement with a number of other countries called the Copenhagen Accord.  The Accord is a political agreement that is voluntary in nature and calls for all nations to reduce emissions and make new investments in clean energy technologies and practices in exchange for developed countries providing assistance to developing nations in adapting to the effects of climate change. As part of this agreement, the U.S. has pledged to:

• Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 17% from 2005 levels
• Help raise $100B per year by 2020 to address the needs of developing countries.

To see other countries’ pledges, visit the UNFCCC web site.

While the Accord has encouraged many countries to come forward with proposed actions to reduce their global warming pollution, the Accord does not provide the legally binding international treaty and the pledges made in association with the Accord would still not prevent global temperatures from exceeding the 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels that scientists say is necessary to tackle the climate crisis.

Expectations for Cancun (COP 16)

Unfortunately, the failure of the U.S. Congress to pass comprehensive climate and energy legislation has created questions throughout the world as to whether the U.S. will be able to meet its Copenhagen pledges and has raised uncertainty on the ability to move toward a binding global deal in Cancun.

It is essential that the international community show progress in Cancun toward a legally binding treaty by building toward an agreement component by component including taking the following steps:

• The U.S. helping to rebuild trust in the negotiations by reaffirming its pledge to meet a 17% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 and highlighting tangible ways the country is making progress toward this emissions target;
• Countries committing to the establishment of a new Global Climate Fund under the UNFCCC with a mandate to support developing country efforts to adapt to climate change impacts and mitigate their greenhouse gas emissions;
• Developed countries showing tangible ways in which they will meet both the near-term (“quick start”) and long-term financial pledges of support for developing countries; and
• Completion of key aspects of new agreement including ways to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD), to improve the resiliency of countries impacted by climate change (Adaptation) and to deploy clean energy technologies.

Cancun Resources

• NWF COP 16 Cancun Brochure
• Fact Sheet: The 17% Contradiction: Tar Sands and U.S. Emissions Reductions