New Cancun Agreement Helps Developing Countries Fight Climate Change

COP 16 closed on a positive note last week in Cancun, Mexico, with a new agreement to help curb carbon emissions and greenhouse gas warming. The 193 delegates, representing the nations who have signed and ratified the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol, decided on a course of action that will primarily help developing countries lower their emissions and combat the negative effects of climate change. This action includes the creation of a “Green Climate Fund,” designed to transfer money to developing nations, and the construction of research centers in developing countries to aid in the transfer of clean energy technology. Developing countries will also be given credit for limiting destruction of their native rainforests.

 However, the conference brought little progress on how and if developed countries will lower their emissions in coming years, according to the Washington Post. There are also questions remaining about how the new Green Climate Fund will be paid for, how vulnerability and thus eligibility for funds will be determined, and if Kyoto will be extended beyond 2012.