Post–Kyoto Protocol negotiations on greenhouse gas emissions

The post-Kyoto process describes the currently ongoing negotiations on the future climate change policies that have an above and beyond the year 2012 legally binding regime for reducing greenhouse gases to the target. 2012 started from the first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol.

The process is mainly driven on the annual UN climate conferences at which simultaneously meet the signatories to the UNFCCC United Nations as well as members of the said Kyoto Protocol. A roadmap was agreed in Bali in 2007.

So far smaller progress within the existing climate regime have been achieved at best. A real breakthrough, however, can be further delayed. Also at the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen in December 2009, only a minimal consensus without binding CO2 reduction targets are found ( the "Copenhagen Accord " ), but at least in the so-called two-degree target was recognized. Also at the UN Climate Change Conference in Cancún, Mexico in late 2010 was no agreement on a comprehensive agreement. Japan rejected any extension of the Kyoto Protocol.

At the UN Climate Change Conference in Durban in 2011 it was decided that the Kyoto Protocol is first extended to a second commitment period; Reduction targets and duration of this second commitment period ( either end of 2017 or end of 2020 ) to be decided at the UN climate conference in Doha in 2012. Until 2015, all Member States should be worked out comprehensive succession plan and decided on the 21 UN Climate Change Conference; this is due to come into force in 2020.