The United Nations climate change talks in Cancún have concluded with a package of decisions to help countries advance towards a low-emissions future, delivering what the world body’s top officials have hailed as a victory in the battle against one of today’s biggest challenges.
Dubbed the “Cancún Agreements,” the decisions include formalizing pledges and ensuring increased accountability for them, as well as taking concrete action to protect the world’s forests, which account for nearly one-fifth of global carbon emissions. Critical to the Cancun Agreements was the creation of a framework to reduce deforestation in developing countries.
Agreement was also reached on establishing a fund for long-term climate financing to support developing countries, and bolstering technology cooperation and enhancing vulnerable populations’ ability to adapt to the changing climate.
The next climate Conference is scheduled to be held in South Africa in late 2011.
