Rachmat Witoelar, Indonesia’s Environment Minister, closed the United Nation’s Climate Change Conference in Bali yesterday with comment that,
“We have a Roadmap!
I am delighted to say that we have finally achieved the breakthrough the world has been waiting for: the Bali Roadmap!
Distinguished delegates,
The decisions we have taken in Bali together create the world’s road map to a secure climate future. The governments assembled here have responded decisively in the face of new scientific evidence and significant advances in our thinking to collectively envision, and chart, a new climate-secure course for humanity.
The Bali Roadmap consists of a number of forward-looking decisions adopted today. These decisions represent various tracks that are essential to reaching a secure climate future.
At this meeting we have launched a new negotiation process, designed to tackle climate change, with the aim of completing this by 2009.
We have also addressed the AWG negotiations, setting a 2009 deadline, firmly launched the Adaptation Fund, and defined the scope and content of the Art. 9 review of the Kyoto Protocol – all of these on the Kyoto track. Similarly we have charted a course forward on reducing emissions from deforestation and on technology transfer, including an exciting new strategic programme.”
For information on these initiatives and the rest of the speech by Mr Witoelar, please click here: http://unfccc.int/meetings/cop_13/items/4049.php
Jennifer Marohasy BSc PhD has worked in industry and government. She is currently researching a novel technique for long-range weather forecasting funded by the B. Macfie Family Foundation.