NEW DELHI: The latest round of UN-sponsored climate talks kicked off in Bonn on Monday amid mounting concerns of high levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The Bonn round of talks follows fresh data released by the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in San Diego that carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere is set to remain extremely high -- at 400 parts per million, which is considerably higher than 350 ppm limit suggested by scientists to ensure that the earth's temperature doesn't increase by more than 2 degrees.
"We are just about to cross the 400 ppm threshold. Hence, the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Durban Platform for Enhanced Action ( ADP) meets in the context of a heightened sense of urgency," United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change executive secretary Christiana Figueres said urging negotiators to "do more and do it faster".
The success of the UN's effort to ramp up the efforts to tackle climate change will depend on how much headway negotiators can make on two important issues-stepping up emission reduction efforts and laying the foundation for a strong global climate change regime after 2020.
Jennnifer Morgan, director, climate and energy programme at US think tank World Resources Institute described the Bonn meet as "a low key, but important session".
In their submissions ahead of the Bonn meeting, India and other developing countries have made it clear that the new regime should not become an opportunity to renegotiate the UN convention of climate change.
"The future agreement should build on the agreements and institutions that have been developed over the years under the UNFCCC, rather than a renegotiation of the system," South Africa, which along with India and China, is part of the BASIC countries, said in its submission. This view has been reiterated by India.
