Introduction

The last 12 months have been amongst the most momentous in the climate change debate, since the scientific evidence that was presented by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) gained widespread acceptance amongst the scientific community, putting the reality of human-induced global warming beyond any doubt.

The United Nations Climate Change Conference is firmly established as the most important annual meeting in the calendar of Government Ministers, IGO and NGO representatives, major groups and international business leaders that are involved in actioning and implementing policies and plans intended to mitigate the enormous threats posed by climate change.

Last year’s summit, in Bali, culminated in the adoption of the Bali roadmap, charting the course for a new negotiating process to be concluded by 2009 that will ultimately lead to a post-2012 international agreement on climate change, superseding the Kyoto Protocol’s first commitment period. Ground-breaking decisions were taken which form core elements of the roadmap, including the launch of the Adaptation Fund as well as decisions on technology transfer and on reducing emissions from deforestation. These decisions represent various tracks that are essential to achieving a secure climate future.