Date: 11/12/2005
Source: Ministry Environmental Affairs and Tourism
Title: van Schalkwyk: Conclusion of UN Climate Change Conference


  Statement by Marthinus van Schalkwyk, Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, following the conclusion of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) COP11 and Kyoto COP/MOP1, Montreal, Canada

CLIMATE ACTION ON TRACK

The achievements of the Conference of Parties (COP), as contained in the Montreal Plan of Action, are a major step forward in the global battle to address climate change. Through their willingness to come to the table, iron out differences and find solutions, all Parties in Montreal demonstrated their resolve to act. The eventual positive participation by all Parties, including the United States (US), and the reaching of a positive agreement, bodes well for the future dynamics of the climate change process.

South Africa's negotiating mandate was informed by our belief that all nations should join in support of the multilateral effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to adapt to the adverse impacts of climate change. We would like to see the emergence after 2012 of a strengthened multilateral climate regime. Such a regime should be more inclusive, flexible, enabling (with positive incentives provided by developed countries to developing countries) and supportive of achieving sustainable development objectives. From the outset we called on developed countries to take stronger action and initiate a process that will lead to deeper emission cuts under Article 3.9 of the Kyoto Protocol after 2012. In addition, we stated our belief that it is time for all Parties, including developing countries, to take further action on their respective commitments under the Convention, whilst recognising the principle of "common but differentiated responsibilities" and the need for developed countries to provide positive incentives to developing countries to do more. In order to advance the full implementation of the Convention, South Africa is ready to take up its responsibilities in that regard.

Before the conference in Montreal, we set out the following six concrete objectives:

* To contribute towards promoting African solidarity and a coordinated African position;
* Adopting the 19 Marrakesh Accords to complete the institutional architecture of the Kyoto Protocol, including the Compliance Mechanism;
* Improving the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM);
* An emphasis on adaptation to the adverse impacts of climate change;
* Opening a dialogue on strengthened, long term cooperation and enhanced implementation of the Convention and Protocol, including:
o Launching a process of negotiations that will lead to deeper emission reductions in developed countries under Article 3.9 of the Kyoto Protocol; and
o A second track leading to the full implementation by all Parties of existing provisions and commitments under the Convention, thereby creating the space and positive incentives for developing countries to do more.

Achievements in Montreal

The meeting in Montreal was a major step forward and South Africa achieved all of its key objectives. We also witnessed an exciting new political momentum in the global negotiations, with a broad critical mass moving forward – ready to discuss the future of long term cooperation and enhanced implementation.

By maintaining a coordinated position, Africa was a significant and meaningful participant during the negotiations. It was also formally announced that Kenya will host the next COP in 2006. South Africa stands ready to play a supportive role in the run-up to this African COP. The adoption of the 19 Marrakesh Accords means that the Kyoto Protocol now comes into effect fully operationalised. The agreement on the establishment of the Compliance Mechanism, to which South Africa's Adv Sandea de Wet, from Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has been appointed, is a major achievement. The Kyoto Protocol now becomes the first multilateral environmental agreement with binding legal consequences for non-compliance.

The decision on a Five-Year Work Programme on Adaptation is a further major achievement. This means that there will now be real action on an adaptation work programme. The next step will be to expand funding for actual adaptation activities.

The agreement about Article 3.9 (leading to future emission reduction commitments by developed countries under Kyoto) lays the basis to secure the carbon market beyond 2012. This is an important political signal to the international investment community. Together with the decisions on the streamlining and improvement of the CDM and the proper resourcing of the CDM Executive Board, this agreement will lead to greater foreign direct investment flows and technology transfer in support of sustainable development in developing countries. South Africa's Chief Negotiator at the climate conference, Mr Alf Wills, co-chaired these Article 3.9 negotiations and performed a remarkable task in facilitating an agreement.

I would also like to congratulate COP President, Minister Stephane Dion, for the leadership role he has played over the last year to ensure a successful outcome at the climate change conference in Montreal.

The South African team of officials, which included various Government departments and other experts, was very ably coordinated by Ms Joanne Yawitch, Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism Deputy Director-General. The team did South Africa proud.

Enquiries: Riaan Aucamp
Cell: 083 778 9923
Issued by: Ministry Environmental Affairs and Tourism
11 December 2005