Kyoto Protocol Negotiations

Environment Minister David Anderson (bottom right) in discussions at a U.N. climate change meeting. Photo: IISD

An important climate change conference to finalize details of the Kyoto Protocol took place in Milan, Italy, in December 2003.(conference summary)

The finishing touches will help Canada's newest Prime Minister, Paul Martin, put Kyoto to work.

Negotiators from Canada headed into the meeting with a plan to weaken aspects of the Kyoto Protocol. Their plan was rejected at the conference. Instead, Canada agreed to compromise to reach a deal on effective rules to allow forestry projects in developing countries to earn 'carbon credits' as a way of meeting our Kyoto target.

The David Suzuki Foundation was among many environmental organizations, and even entire countries, who called on Canada to support strong rules to ensure these forestry projects meet rigorous environmental and socio-economic standards.

Learn more:

• December 12, 2003: The two-week U.N. climate conference wrapped up on Dec. 12. Read about the conference summary of this meeting.
• December 11, 2003: Read a news release on how the Milan conference set the stage for Canada's newest Prime Minister, Paul Martin, to implement Kyoto. 
• November 26, 2003: Read a news release and a report, Giving Credit Where Credit is Due, on how Canada pushed for weak Kyoto rules as it headed into a major climate change meeting in Milan. The report, produced by the David Suzuki Foundation, World Wildlife Fund Canada and Greenpeace Canada, explains why Canada's negotiating position is dangerous (version Francaise)
• October 22, 2003: Read a news release and a report, Risky Business, on a controversial project Canada is funding in Brazil to get Kyoto credits. The project is partly funded by Canada in order to get Kyoto credits instead of reducing pollution at home.

Further reading on Canada's position: 

• The case for temporary credits for forestry projects in developing countries (David Suzuki Foundation background paper, November 2003)
• The need for effective sinks rules & Canadian accountability (David Suzuki Foundation background paper, November 2003)
• The case for socio-economic and environmental criteria for sinks projects (David Suzuki Foundation background paper, November 2003)
• Climate Action Network International: This page contains background documents outlining Canada's negotiating priorities

More information on carbon sinks and the Clean Development Mechanism:

• SinksWatch: This site monitors sinks projects around the world related to the Kyoto Protocol
• Read a report, Taking Credit, on the role of sinks in international climate negotiations. For background information on the report, read a position paper and technical summary. (David Suzuki Foundation report, 2001)

 

Negotiators from around the world gather at a U.N. climate change meeting