What the rest of the world is doing
The UNFCCC Parties are divided into three main groups:
Annex I Parties include the industrialised countries that were members of the OECD in 1992, plus countries with economies in transition to market economies (the EIT Parties) at that time—e.g. Eastern European countries and former Soviet states. Broadly, the Annex I group comprises ‘developed countries’, almost all of which have emissions targets under the Kyoto Protocol.
Annex II Parties consist of those countries in Annex I, minus the EIT Parties. Annex II Parties are required to provide financial resources to assist developing countries to undertake emissions reduction activities and adapt to adverse impacts of climate change.
Australia is a member of both Annex I and Annex II.
The remaining countries are in the non-Annex I Party grouping, which comprises around 140 developing countries. This is a highly differentiated group, ranging from the world’s most populous country and largest greenhouse gas emitter (China), to small island nations such as Tuvalu.
Non-Annex I Parties do not have binding emissions targets under the Kyoto Protocol.
Under the Convention, governments:
- gather and share information on greenhouse gas emissions, national policies and best practices
- launch national strategies for addressing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to expected impacts, including the provision of financial and technological support to developing countries
- cooperate in preparing for adaptation to the impacts of climate change.