Setting the Context for Evaluating Sustainable Development - Evaluating Sustainable Development in the Built Environment - page 10

Table 1.1 Contd .

Date Action Output

2002: 23 October-1
November

Conference of the Parties to
the UN Framework
Convention on Climate
Change 8 (COP 8), New
Delhi

The usual division between developed and developing country positions on many issues was
in evidence at COP 8. Parties convened in negotiating groups on a number of issues
previously left off the agenda due to the pressing negotiations under the Buenos Aires Plan of
Action. The Delhi Declaration reaffirms development and poverty eradication as overriding
priorities in developing countries and implementation of UNFCCC commitments according to
Parties' common but differentiated responsibilities, development priorities and circumstances,
but it does not call for a dialogue on broadening commitments.

2003: 1-12 December Conference of the Parties to

the UN Framework
Convention on Climate
Change 9 (COP 9), Milan

According to the way the Kyoto Protocol (KP) was written, it will go into effect only if 55 of
the signatories ratify. These signatories must account for 55% of the CO 2 emissions at the
then specified date - 1990. There is no problem with the first condition, as 121
countries have ratified the KP but the USA (the country at the forefront of GHG
emissions) stated that it was not going to represent the required minimum of 55% of
emissions without a Russian ratification of the KP.

2004: 8-11 June The Aalborg +10

conference, Aalborg
(Denmark)

One objective of the Aalborg + 10 conference was to assess the 10 years of
experiences since the establishment of the Aalborg Charter and the European
Sustainable Cities & Towns Campaign. Nine hundred participants shared their
experiences and met in open discussions and dialogues. Currently the Charter is
signed by 2764 cities (see: http://www.aalborgplus10.dk/media/short_list_
18-02-2009_1_.pdf).

2005: 28 November-9
December

The first Meeting of the
Parties to the Kyoto Protocol
(MOP 1) along with the
Conference of the Parties to
the UN Framework
convention on climate
change 11 (COP 11),
Montreal

It was one of the largest intergovernmental conferences on climate change. The event
marked the entry into force of the Kyoto Protocol. Hosting more than 10 000
delegates, it was one of Canada's largest international events ever and the largest
gathering in Montreal since Expo 67. The Montreal Action Plan is an agreement
hammered out at the end of the conference to 'extend the life of the Kyoto Protocol
beyond its 2012 expiration date and negotiate deeper cuts in greenhouse-gas
emissions' (Wikipedia).