Lima Climate Change Conference Conclusion - December 13, 2014

The Lima Climate Change Conference, part of the 20th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 20), concluded on December 13, 2014, in Lima, Peru. This conference played a pivotal role in building momentum towards what would eventually become the Paris Agreement, adopted in December 2015.

Context and Background

The conference took place against a backdrop of increasing global concern over climate change and a strong push for international cooperation in tackling environmental challenges. Discussions and negotiations at the conference were geared toward advancing the legal framework and commitments established under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

Key Outcomes: Lima Call for Climate Action

The most significant outcome of the conference was the “Lima Call for Climate Action,” a negotiated outcome that set the stage for the Paris Agreement. It was designed to guide the global community towards a new climate treaty by 2015 with the following components:

• Commitment to Ambitious Climate Action: The call urged countries to enhance their pledges for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, defining what would be termed “intended nationally determined contributions” (INDCs). Each country was responsible for presenting its plan for emission reductions, which would collectively contribute to global climate goals.

• Transparency and Flexibility: The agreement emphasized the importance of transparency in reporting and reviewing these contributions while allowing flexibility to accommodate different national circumstances.

• Mobilization of Financing and Support: It highlighted the need for financial resources to support climate action in developing countries, particularly in adaption, capacity-building, and technology transfer.

• Roadmap to Paris: It set a timetable and framework for negotiations leading to COP 21 in Paris, where a new universal climate agreement was the anticipated outcome.

Impact and Significance

The Lima Call for Climate Action was crucial in aligning the parties to a path that aimed to enhance collective global action against climate change. It acknowledged the varying capabilities and responsibilities of countries while encouraging all parties to participate in a meaningful way. By laying a foundation for the upcoming Paris Agreement, the Lima conference underpinned a historic global shift towards a comprehensive international climate framework.

The conference also saw a strengthened role for non-state actors, including businesses and civil society organizations, in climate action discourse, recognizing their critical role in supporting governmental efforts.

Aftermath

Following the Lima conference, countries submitted their INDCs throughout 2015, contributing to the momentum that culminated in the Paris Agreement during the UN Climate Change Conference (COP 21) in Paris. The Paris Agreement set global emissions targets and established an international framework for the reduction of greenhouse gases while keeping global temperature rises well below 2 degrees Celsius.

The successful negotiation of the Lima Call for Climate Action was a testament to the ability of the international community to collaborate on pressing global issues, setting a precedent for future climate agreements and efforts.