Following difficult negotiations, the international Climate Change Conference in Doha agreed on a second commitment period under the Kyoto Protocol. A work programme for the comprehensive climate agreement to be negotiated by 2015 was also adopted. Federal Environment Minister Peter Altmaier stated: "The 'Doha Climate Gateway' has opened the door to future international climate action. A second commitment period under the Kyoto Protocol means that binding international rules will continue to apply in future. At the same time we have a clear roadmap which sets the course towards a comprehensive climate agreement."
Although the second commitment period under the Kyoto Protocol covers less than 15 percent of global emissions, it is the bridge to a future climate agreement with robust rules on offsetting and reporting. More stringent reporting provisions were also agreed for countries which are not Parties to the Kyoto Protocol.
The conference in Doha called on all states to raise their level of ambition by 2020 and step up their mitigation efforts. A climate summit of heads of state and government is planned for 2014 to reinforce this call.
Federal Environment Minister Altmaier: "From next year, both within the EU and internationally, we will be discussing ways of increasing our climate action. The Doha package is a good basis for this. Doha has sent a signal of confidence which also builds on Germany's particularly good relations with progressive developing countries."
Altmaier presented Germany's transformation of its energy system as a practical example of how countries can make the transition to low-emission economies. China, South Africa and Morocco presented their strategies. For 2013 Germany has announced financing of around 1.8 billion euros for climate action in developing countries, thus joining with other major donors to create a solid base for increased activities by these countries.
Federal Environment Minister Altmaier: "Doha has proved that multilateral negotiations can move forward even on complex issues. The 194 states negotiated closely connected and in part technical issues in seven parallel fora. Despite the extremely divergent expectations of the different countries and the complex subject matter, Doha succeeded in adopting a balanced package and modernising the negotiation process. Germany actively supported the Qatari Presidency in this task."