Preambular
Alternative 1 (paragraphs 1-13)
1. Recalling the Bali Action Plan (decision 1/CP.13) adopted by the Conference of the Parties at its thirteenth session, and recognizing the need for long-term cooperative action among all Parties to enable the full, effective and sustained implementation of the Convention now, up to and beyond 2012, in order to achieve its ultimate objective.
2. Renewing the political determination to strengthen a global partnership that enhances long-term cooperative action and addresses existing implementation gaps, and to continue building an inclusive, fair and effective [climate regime] [implementation of the Convention] one that takes into account the first and overriding priorities of all developing countries, which are the promotion of sustainable economic and social development and poverty eradication, as well as the integrity of the climate regime, the equitable development needs of present and future generations, the survival of the most vulnerable and the particular vulnerability of SIDS and LDCs.
3. Recalling the findings contained in the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and more recent scientific information confirm that warming of the climate system, as a consequence of human activity, is unequivocal; current per-capita emissions in developed countries remain relatively high compared with those in developing countries; negative impacts of climate change are already evident and widespread, in particular in vulnerable regions of the world.
4. Recognising that early and urgent undertaking to accelerate both mitigation and adaptation actions by all countries, on the basis of equity and according to their common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, is necessary. Scientific evidence shows that the global costs of mitigation and adaptation to the adverse effects of climate change will soar if mitigation efforts are timid, fragmented and restricted. Furthermore, it shows that the economics of ambitious and bold mitigation action pays better than shy efforts, both at a global and domestic level in developed and developing country Parties, thereby reducing the risk of crossing tipping points that could result in abrupt climate change.
5. Recognizing further that due to their historical responsibility for the accumulation of greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere and their disproportionate historical use of the shared global carbon space, developed country Parties must show leadership in the global effort to build a low-carbon economy that ensures continued growth and sustainable development and strengthens capacity to adapt to the impacts of climate change, in particular by taking on ambitious economy-wide quantified emission limitation and reduction commitments or actions. Delay by developed country Parties in implementing their commitments to reduce emissions will increase their climate debt to the developing country Parties and significantly constrain opportunities to achieve lower stabilization levels of greenhouse gases, intensifying the risk of more severe climate change impacts and the consequent need for, and cost of, adaptation. Deep cuts in GHG emissions [by developed countries] [by all Annex I country Parties] [by all developed countries] are urgently required to prevent dangerous interference with the climate system and the modification of long-term emission trends consistent with the ultimate objective of the Convention.
6. Recalling that long-term cooperative action, including a long-term global goal for emission reductions, shall be guided by the ultimate objective of the Convention in accordance with its provisions and principles, in particular the principles of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, Articles 3, paragraphs 1, 2, 3 and 5, and Article 4, paragraphs 3 and 7, of the Convention,] equity, the Rio principles, including the precautionary principle and the polluter pays principle, as well as state responsibility.
7. Noting the need to take account of national circumstances, including environmental, social and economic [and political] conditions and other relevant factors and future changes in these circumstances as well as the constant evolution of scientific knowledge relating to climate change, its causes and effects, and recognizing that the application of the Convention principles as regards individual Parties should [evolve] [be improved].
8. Convinced that the profound changes that the structure of the global economy has undergone since the entry into force of the Convention and the grave challenge of harmonizing sustainable development while addressing climate change and demands for a more equitable utilization of the global atmospheric resource necessitate [an economic transition][a paradigm shift] that adjusts global economic growth patterns towards a sustainable [lifestyle] [low-emission] [trajectory] [climate-resilient] [economy] [development] allocating global financing and investment according to the priorities identified by the international community, with climate change stabilization being one of these priorities, based on innovative technologies, more sustainable production and consumption, [while ensuring a just transition of the workforce, which creates decent work and quality jobs] and seeking the active participation of all stakeholders [, be they governmental, including subnational and local government, private business or civil society, including the youth and addressing the need for gender equity].
9. Recognizing that, led by developed country Parties, this transition is needed by all the Parties. As there is still no model a concrete roadmap for low-emission development, especially for developing country Parties, is urgently needed. All countries will need to develop comprehensive climate response strategies, in line with their individual responsibilities and capabilities, that achieve an emission trajectory to a low-emission economy. Those developing countries that were and are low-emission economies need sufficient financial incentives and appropriate technology transfer to keep avoiding greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in their path to sustainable development and to prevent adopting the high GHG emission trajectories of developed countries and global crises, such as the financial crisis, should not constitute an obstacle to the provision of financial and technical assistance to developing countries.
10. Recognising further that all Parties should contribute to the global effort to combat climate change under an enlightened sense of solidarity, in accordance with their common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, envisaging a spectrum of effort within which all Parties should aim to undertake a similar level of effort to others at a similar level of development and with similar national circumstances, while recognising that developing countries face not only the additional challenge of adaptation but also the need to put their economies on a sustainable path. All Parties agree that developing countries face serious adverse effects of climate change as well as threats to their future economic potential owing to insufficient access to shared global atmospheric resources.
11. Acknowledging the important role of the Kyoto Protocol in contributing to the ultimate objective of the Convention, the need to broaden the legal commitments under the Convention and that long-term cooperative action does not include commitments for developing countries, but rather entitles developing countries to technology transfer, capacity-building and financial resources for project implementation regarding national programmes for mitigation and adaptation. Developing countries will contribute to a global mitigation effort in accordance with the Convention, including through nationally appropriate mitigation actions. The extent to which developing country Parties will effectively implement their commitments under the Convention will depend on the effective implementation by developed country Parties of their commitments under the Convention related to finance and transfer of technology. Developing country Parties could adopt bolder measures of mitigation if developed country Parties make even deeper cuts in their own domestic emissions and provide adequate means of implementation. Furthermore, deeper cuts would create a demand for expanded carbon markets that should go hand in hand with significantly increased access to this market, and an early and enhanced role of forestry in it.
12. Recalling paragraphs 20 and 21 of the preamble to the Convention and confirming that developed country Parties shall implement policies and measures to respond to climate change in such a way as to minimize adverse effects, including effects on international trade and social and economic impacts on other parties, especially developing country Parties, and in particular those identified in Articles 4.8, 4.9 and 4.10 of the Convention, taking fully into account Article 3 of the Convention, in particular its paragraphs 2, 3 and 5. In this regard that developed country Parties shall not resort to any form of unilateral measures, including countervailing border measures, against goods and services imported from developing countries on the grounds of protection and stabilization of climate.
13. Noting that a shared vision for long-term cooperative action should take account not only of the rights of human beings, but also of the rights of Mother Earth and all its natural beings as the adverse effects of climate change also have a range of direct and indirect implications for the full and effective enjoyment of human rights including the right to sustainable development, self determination, statehood, life, the right of people not to be deprived of their own means of subsistence, the right to water and the right to live well and are increasingly posing a risk to security and the survival, sovereignty and territorial integrity of states.
Recognizing, in the light of Article 2 (objective) of the Convention, the importance of identifying one or more reference points in the mid-century timeframe that can guide the efforts of the Parties and the international community and against which aggregate global efforts can be continually assessed,
Considering, in that regard, that [ ] is/are desirable global indicator(s),
Having a shared vision of [summary that ties together the elements of the agreement],
