Climate Change

Research Paper 39, May 2011

Operationalizing the UNFCCC Finance Mechanism.

Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) have recognized the need to “urgently enhance implementation of the Convention in order to achieve its ultimate objective in full accordance with its principles and commitments” (Preamble, Bali Action Plan). (more…)

Climate Policy Brief 5, March 2011

Complex Implications of the Cancun Climate Conference.

The 2010 climate conference of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) which took place in Cancun (Mexico) on 29 November to 11 December was complex in both process and content, and in both aspects it will have an importance and ramifications that will take several years to unfold. (more…)

Climate Policy Brief 4, December 2010

The Equitable Sharing of Atmospheric and Development Space.

In the quest for an international climate agreement on actions to address the climate change crisis, three aspects have to be the basis simultaneously: the environmental imperative, the developmental imperative, and the equity imperative. (more…)

Statement, 10 December 2010

Statement at the UNFCCC Climate Conference (COP16, CMP6), Cancun

As an inter-governmental organisation with 51 developing countries, the South Centre is very pleased to be participating in the COP16 and CMP6 in Cancun. Climate change is among the top priorities for the Centre as we believe that it poses a threat to the global environment as well as to development prospects in developing countries. (more…)

Research Paper 34, November 2010

Addressing Climate Change through Sustainable Development and the Promotion of Human Rights.

This Research Paper sets out the relevance of international human rights obligations in light of the multiple constraints climate change poses to the sustainable development of developing countries. (more…)

Research Paper 33, November 2010

The Equitable Sharing of Atmospheric and Development Space: Some Critical Aspect.

This Research Paper aims to contribute to the discussion on the issues of environment, development and equity that are at the centre of the climate, development and equity nexus. (more…)

Climate Policy Brief 3, November 2010

Cancun Climate Conference: Some Key Issues.

The South Centre released a new Policy Brief addressing some key issues on Cancun Climate Conference, including the lowering of expectations; the Fate and Shape of the Global Climate Regulatory Regime; Disastrous Projection of Pledges; the Obligations Proposed for Developing Countries; and Cancun  New Structures in Finance, Technology and Adaptation. (more…)

Research Paper 29, May 2010

The Climate and Trade Relation: Some Issues.

The new released South Centre Research Paper is to examine some important aspects of the linkage between climate change and trade-related issues. In particular, the paper looks at developments in policies taken by governments and the inter-governmental processes to deal with the crisis in climate change, including within the international climate change regime, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and their inter-linkages with the multilateral trade regime, in particular the World Trade Organization (WTO). (more…)

Press Release, 27 April 2010

Ministers of BASIC Countries (Brazil, China, India, South Africa) Stress Primacy of United Nations as a Forum for Climate Negotiations and that the World Cannot Wait Indefinitely for The United States to Act on Climate Change.

At their third meeting that took place in Cape Town, South Africa, from 25 to 26 April 2010, the ministers in charge of climate change negotiations from the BASIC countries (Brazil, China, India, and South Africa) stressed their determination to have their countries “continue to show leadership in acting on climate change.” (more…)

Informal Note on the Copenhagen Accord, January 2010

Comments on the Copenhagen Accord

This Informal Note analyzes the Copenhagen Accord in terms of its legal nature and its substantive content, outlines important issues and concerns for the consideration of developing countries in the context of the UNFCCC negotiations and their development implications, and identifies some options that developing countries may consider in the context of their future action in relation to the Copenhagen Accord. (more…)

Climate Policy Brief 2, December 2009

Copenhagen and After.

This Policy Brief looks at the process leading up to and the substantive provisions of the Copenhagen Accord. It identifies key issues in the Accord that would be important to consider for developing countries in light of their potential implications for the UNFCCC negotiations. (more…)

Climate Policy Brief 1, December 2009

Copenhagen: Key Issues for Developing Countries.
This paper summarises the key issues that need to be resolved if the Copenhagen Climate Conference is to succeed.  They include the future of the Kyoto Protocol, the global climate regime, the emission cuts of developed countries, the attempts to shift responsibiity to developing countries, finance and technology for developing countries, and the danger of climate trade protectionism. (more…)