UNFCCC – THE FUTURE OF THE PROCESS REMEDIAL ACTION ON PROCESS OWNERSHIP AND POLITICAL GUIDANCE

The report argues that the UNFCCC process became dysfunctional following the 'debacle' of COP 15 in Copenhagen, specifically regarding the use of small negotiating groups and 'chairs' texts'. To remedy this, the author proposes a 'politically balanced' model for selecting representatives to small groups to ensure legitimacy and inclusiveness. The report also suggests increasing transparency for informal consultations through calls for expressions of interest and virtual participation (webcasting). Finally, it recommends a structured approach to High-Level Segments, where ministers provide political guidance on a small number of 'crunch issues' through a sequential schedule of briefing, negotiating, and debriefing, while keeping heads of state and government in 'extracurricular' roles.

• The UNFCCC process suffered a loss of trust and became dysfunctional due to the mismanagement of the process at COP 15 in Copenhagen, where the use of small groups and 'chairs' texts' was perceived as opaque and exclusive.
• To ensure legitimate representation in small negotiating groups, members should be nominated by negotiating groups according to a 'politically balanced' key rather than being selected by the convener.
• The author proposes a specific 'Politically Balanced' Model for a group of 21 representatives, allocating seats as follows: G77+China (9), European Union (3), Umbrella Group (3), Alliance of Small Island States (2), Least Developed Countries (2), Environmental Integrity Group (1), and Non-Aligned (1).
• Transparency and inclusiveness of informal consultation meetings can be improved by reserving seats for Parties via calls for expressions of interest and providing virtual access to proceedings and documentation.
• Political guidance during High-Level Segments should be restricted to the ministerial level and focused on a very small number of 'crunch issues', while heads of state or government should be limited to 'extracurricular' activities and ceremonial roles.
• High-level negotiations should follow a sequential schedule to ensure a proper interface between technical and political levels, consisting of briefing sessions, high-level negotiating meetings, and debriefing sessions.

APA

Müller, B. (2011). UNFCCC – THE FUTURE OF THE PROCESS REMEDIAL ACTION ON PROCESS OWNERSHIP AND POLITICAL GUIDANCE. Climate Strategies. https://climatestrategies.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/muller-unfccc-the-future-of-the-process.pdf

Chicago

Müller, Benito. UNFCCC – THE FUTURE OF THE PROCESS REMEDIAL ACTION ON PROCESS OWNERSHIP AND POLITICAL GUIDANCE. Climate Strategies, 2011. https://climatestrategies.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/muller-unfccc-the-future-of-the-process.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Müller |first1=Benito |title=UNFCCC – THE FUTURE OF THE PROCESS REMEDIAL ACTION ON PROCESS OWNERSHIP AND POLITICAL GUIDANCE |publisher=Climate Strategies |date=February 2011 |url=https://climatestrategies.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/muller-unfccc-the-future-of-the-process.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{mller2011unfccc, author = {Müller, Benito}, title = {{UNFCCC – THE FUTURE OF THE PROCESS REMEDIAL ACTION ON PROCESS OWNERSHIP AND POLITICAL GUIDANCE}}, institution = {Climate Strategies}, year = {2011}, month = feb, url = {https://climatestrategies.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/muller-unfccc-the-future-of-the-process.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }