Monitoring Trade and Climate Change
2009-09-16 tralac
Resources > By Topic > OTHER TRADE TOPICS > Environment
On 18 December 2009, at the end of the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark a political understanding and letter of intent proposing reduction of national carbon emissions were reached. Although negotiations did not result in a legally binding agreement, the Copenhagen Accord shows the political will of countries to cap temperature rise, reduce emissions and raise finances for climate change adaptation and mitigation. The challenge is now to turn the political understanding into a legally binding document during the sixteenth session of the Conference of the Parties and the sixth session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol from 29 November to 10 December 2010 in Mexico City, Mexico.
Sub-Saharan Africa is particularly vulnerable to climate change given its dependence on rain-fed agriculture, limited capacity, high levels of poverty, poor infrastructure and little fiscal space to invest in adaptation and mitigation. The agricultural sector accounts for a large share of Gross Domestic Product, export earnings and employment in most countries in the region. The debate on climate change and its impact on agriculture are crucial to the region and its people. Changes in temperature, precipitation, sea levels, atmospheric carbon dioxide and incidents of extreme events can affect the agricultural sector in the region through lower crop yields and agricultural productivity, a reduction in water availability and increased periods of drought. In the region these impacts are exacerbated due to the lack of institutional, economic and financial capacity to support climate change adaptation and mitigation actions. Currently there is a need for investment, incentives to reduce emissions and support technological change and information and monitoring in the agricultural sector. In developing and least developed countries adaptation and mitigation actions are needed to limit the affect of climate change on agriculture, food security, health and poverty.
Click on the links below to view previous articles.
- From the 15th United Nations Climate Change Conference in December 2009 to now: What has happened so far?
article by Willemien Denner, a Researcher at tralac (7 April 2010) - A comparison between the Kyoto Protocol and the Copenhagen Accord.
article by Willemien Denner, a Researcher at tralac (10 February 2010) - Update on the United Nations Climate Change Conference (7-18 December 2009)
article by Willemien Denner, a Researcher at tralac (17 December 2009) - United Nations Climate Change Conference
article by Willemien Denner, a Researcher at tralac (09 December 2009) - The impact technology will have on climate change and the success of Kyoto
Interview with Dr Patrick Low, Chief Economist, WTO (28 August 2009) - The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), entrepreneurial opportunities for African countries and how developing countries can prepare for Copenhagen...
Interview with Dr Patrick Low, Chief Economist, WTO (28 August 2009) - Don’t run away from the table!
tralac research (11 November 2009). - Food miles, a valid argument or hidden protection?
Interview with Dr Patrick Low, Chief Economist, WTO (28 August 2009)
- We have an agreement… Financial aspects of Climate Change.
tralac research (04 November 2009). - Lamy underscores the urgency of responding to the climate crisis.
- Taking off in India: the shorter way to Copenhagen
tralac research (28 October 2009). - The relationship between trade policy and climate change
Interview with Dr Patrick Low, Chief Economist, WTO (28 August 2009). - Escaping the dead end on the way to Copenhagen
tralac research (21 October 2009). - Danish ambassadors' speech on Climate Change at the Africa Investor CEO Forum.
- Trade deal for Climate Change commitment
tralac research (14 October 2009). - Climate Change and the vulnerability of African countries
Interview with Dr Patrick Low, Chief Economist, WTO (28 August 2009) - The Pittsburgh Summit 2009 and South Africa’s Renewable Energy Initiative
tralac research (07 October 2009). - Carbon Tax or Cap-and-Trade in South Africa
tralac research (30 September 2009). - Climate Change: The African Perspective
tralac research (23 September 2009). - Regional Monitoring - Prospects for Copenhagen 2009
tralac research (16 September 2009). - The impact of climate change on developing countries,
hotseat comment by Willemien Denner, tralac Researcher (09 September 2009). - Trade and Climate Change,
hotseat comment by JB Cronjé, tralac Researcher (2 September 2009).
Published in: Resources > By Topic > OTHER TRADE TOPICS > Environment