Africa Group calls for emphasis on climate change adaptation under Kyoto

Bali, Indonesia 5 December 2007 - The African Group at the ongoing Conference on Climate Change in Bali said today that since the Kyoto Protocol was still a relatively new mechanism, delegates should focus more on strengthening the implementation of a "focused set of issues".

Speaking on behalf of the African Group, as discussions centred on the second review under Article 9 of the Kyoto Protocol, South Africa said Africa would support the need to strengthen adaptation to climate change as provided under the Protocol

Article 9 calls for a periodic review of the Kyoto Protocol based on the "best available scientific information and assessments on climate change and its impacts, as well as relevant technical, social and economic information".

The African Group also called for an extension of the scope of review to include improvements in the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and consideration of non-carbon funding for sustainable development projects that reduce emissions.

The conference continues.