Bali Action Plan

Bali Action Plan. The Bali Action Plan is a pivotal decision adopted at the thirteenth session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol. Formally known as Decision 1/CP.13, it was the major outcome of the 2007 United Nations Climate Change Conference held in Nusa Dua, Bali. The plan launched a comprehensive two-year negotiation process, known as the Bali Road Map, aimed at crafting a successor agreement to the Kyoto Protocol and enhancing long-term cooperative action under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Background and Context

The imperative for the Bali Action Plan emerged from growing scientific consensus on climate change and the approaching expiration of the first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol in 2012. Key reports from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, particularly its Fourth Assessment Report, provided stark evidence of warming and its likely consequences. Previous negotiations, such as those at COP 11 in Montreal and COP 12 in Nairobi, had laid some groundwork but failed to secure commitments for a post-2012 framework. Divisions were pronounced between developed nations like the United States, European Union, and Japan, and major emerging economies including China, India, and Brazil. The political landscape was also shaped by the recent ratification of the Kyoto Protocol by Australia and ongoing debates about historical responsibility and common but differentiated responsibilities.

Key Objectives and Components

The core mandate of the plan was to launch a comprehensive process to enable the full, effective, and sustained implementation of the UNFCCC. It established the Ad Hoc Working Group on Long-term Cooperative Action under the Convention to conduct the negotiations. The plan outlined four main "building blocks" for discussions: enhanced action on mitigation, including quantified emission limitation objectives for Annex I countries; measurable, reportable and verifiable mitigation actions by developing countries; enhanced action on adaptation; and enhanced action on technology transfer and financing. It specifically called for consideration of REDD+ and sectoral approaches. A critical element was the inclusion of a non-paper by the President of Indonesia, which helped bridge differences.

Negotiations and Adoption

The negotiations in Bali were highly contentious and went into overtime. A major rift occurred between the European Union, supported by many developing countries, and the United States delegation led by Paula Dobriansky. The EU demanded explicit reference to numerical emission reduction ranges for industrialized countries, which the US opposed. A dramatic moment unfolded when a delegate from Papua New Guinea, Kevin Conrad, famously told the US, "If you're not willing to lead, please get out of the way." Following intense consultations led by the Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC, Yvo de Boer, and the conference President, Rachmat Witoelar, a compromise was reached. The final text included a footnote referencing the IPCC's recommended reduction ranges, and the plan was adopted to a standing ovation, though the US expressed reservations.

Implementation and Follow-up

The implementation of the Bali Action Plan proceeded through the work of the AWG-LCA, which held multiple sessions over the next two years. These intersessional meetings took place in locations like Bangkok, Bonn, Accra, Poznań, and Barcelona. The process aimed to culminate in an agreed outcome at COP 15 in Copenhagen in 2009. Parallel negotiations under the Ad Hoc Working Group on Further Commitments for Annex I Parties under the Kyoto Protocol also progressed. The plan's framework guided discussions on complex issues such as Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions for developing countries, adaptation fund governance, and the design of new financial mechanisms like the Green Climate Fund.

Outcomes and Legacy

While the subsequent Copenhagen Accord failed to deliver the legally binding treaty envisioned in Bali, the Bali Action Plan's process was formally concluded at COP 17 in Durban in 2011. Its legacy is foundational; it established the principle of addressing mitigation, adaptation, finance, and technology in a balanced manner and directly paved the way for the Durban Platform for Enhanced Action. This platform ultimately led to the adoption of the Paris Agreement in 2015. The plan's structure influenced the architecture of the Paris Agreement, including its Nationally Determined Contributions and the enhanced transparency framework. It is widely regarded as a critical turning point that re-engaged the United States in multilateral climate diplomacy and set the stage for the inclusive, bottom-up approach that characterizes modern global climate governance.

Category:United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Category:Climate change agreements Category:2007 in the environment Category:2007 in Indonesia