§ Mr. ChaytorTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will request the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change Subsidiary Bodies to undertake an exploratory study of contraction and convergence as a potential basis for the second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol. [171229]
§ Mr. Morley[holding answer 17 May 2004]: The UK, as part of the EU, sought to open a technical dialogue on possible approaches to long-term action to tackle climate 1221W change at the UN climate change negotiations in Milan last December. The aim was to begin technical discussions on different methodologies, including contraction and convergence, to promote better understanding of the challenge facing the international community.
We achieved recognition of better access to data and analytical tools relevant to implementing commitments under the Convention and the Kyoto Protocol, plus a scoping phase to develop a shared data interface to help with this, and a process to exchange further views on these issues in July 2004. The UK will continue to press for technical discussions relevant to the assessment of different methodologies.
Negotiations on climate change action beyond the end of the first Kyoto Protocol commitment period in 2012 are due to commence in 2005. In the meantime, we will continue to exchange views informally with other countries on how to promote further action.