Copenhagen Climate Change Conference (COP15) - December 20, 2009

The Copenhagen Climate Change Conference, known as COP15, took place from December 7 to December 18, 2009, in Copenhagen, Denmark. It was the 15th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The conference aimed to establish a comprehensive international agreement to address climate change beyond 2012, when the first commitment period under the Kyoto Protocol was set to end.

The Copenhagen Accord

The conference concluded with the Copenhagen Accord, which was a political agreement rather than a legally binding treaty. This accord was primarily drafted by a select group of countries: the United States, China, India, Brazil, and South Africa. The document was noted for its political significance despite falling short of establishing legally binding commitments. Key points of the accord included:

• Recognition of the scientific case for keeping the rise in global temperatures below two degrees Celsius.
• A commitment by developed countries to provide $100 billion a year by 2020 to help developing countries cope with climate impacts.
• A pledge by countries to make non-binding national commitments on emissions reductions.
• Establishment of a framework for verifying national emissions reductions targets.

Reception and Significance

The Copenhagen Accord was met with mixed reactions. While it represented an unprecedented level of participation from both developed and developing nations on climate issues, it was criticized for its lack of legally binding targets and enforcement mechanisms. Many participants and observers viewed the Accord as a political compromise that highlighted the challenges of achieving consensus among diverse nations with varied economic interests and responsibilities.

Aftermath

In the aftermath of COP15, the Accord was not formally adopted by the COP but rather was “taken note of,” due to the lack of unanimous agreement among all countries. This outcome led to renewed calls for future conferences to achieve a more robust and binding climate change framework. Subsequent COP meetings, particularly COP21 in Paris in 2015, sought to build on the foundation set by Copenhagen by crafting the Paris Agreement, which established legally binding commitments for emissions reduction.

The Copenhagen Conference highlighted the complexities inherent in global environmental negotiations and underscored the importance of political will in tackling the climate crisis. It served as a pivotal moment in climate diplomacy, illustrating both the possibilities and limitations of international cooperation on climate change.