Implementing the Comprehensive Approach Under the FCCC: An Assessment of Alternatives

Abstract

The Framework Convention on Climate Change commits developed country Parties to implement measures and report on results of measures taken to limit emissions by sources and enhance removal by sinks of all greenhouse gases not controlled under the Montreal Protocol. However, the Convention does not stipulate how this commitment should be implemented. This decision is left to the first Conference of the Parties. In this paper, several options for implementing the Convention’s emission limitation and sink enhancement commitments are compared with respect to environmental effectiveness, flexibility and proof of performance. Some guidelines are proposed to address concerns about verification of performance under the single basket, integrated option, which is ranked as most flexible and environmentally most effective. Canada’s use of this option in its first national report is briefly discussed.