Video: African nations pushing for ‘ambitious’ commitments at COP17

Ministers from more than 50 African nations spoke out today (December 5) to demand an 'ambitious' second commitment period for the Kyoto Protocol after holding crunch weekend talks.


Speaking at the start of the final week of the talks in the South African city of Durban the ministers voiced fears over the latest scientific evidence showing severe threats to African food security and developments in the negotiations.

They also spoke out calling for a strategy to ensure the outcomes of the conference are ‘comprehensive’ enough to protect Africans from the worst effects of climate change.

African group of negotiators spokesman, Seyni Nafo, said: “Developed country Parties to the Kyoto Protocol must honour their commitments through ambitious mitigation commitments for a second and subsequent commitment periods.

“We stress the urgency of agreeing a second commitment period in Durban and of elaborating measures to avoid a gap between commitment periods.

“We expect that Durban will conclude the operationalisation of effective and accountable institutions under the Conference of the Parties in relation to, adaptation, technology and finance in accordance with the relevant principles and provisions of the Convention, the Bali Action Plan and the Cancun decisions.”


Luke Walsh

Action inspires action. Stay ahead of the curve with sustainability and energy newsletters from edie

Subscribe