Inching Forward at the Climate Talks in Buenos Aires

The Fourth Conference of the Parties (COP-4) in Buenos Aires resulted in the 'Buenos Aires Plan of Action,' a work program with deadlines to resolve six key issues necessary for the Kyoto Protocol's implementation. While the talks were characterized by deadlock and high-level closed-door negotiations, significant developments included a breakthrough in Global Environment Facility (GEF) funding for developing countries and Argentina's decision to voluntarily commit to greenhouse gas emission reductions. However, deep divisions remained regarding the capping of Kyoto mechanisms and the formalization of technology transfer.

• The 'Buenos Aires Plan of Action' established a work program with firm deadlines to resolve six critical issues for the Kyoto Protocol: Kyoto mechanisms, financial assistance, technology transfer to developing countries, economic implications of response measures, Activities Implemented Jointly (AIJ), and preparations for COP/MOP-1.
• Negotiations on the Kyoto mechanisms revealed a conflict between the U.S.-led bloc, which sought maximum flexibility, and the EU and developing countries, who wanted a cap on the proportion of emissions reductions earned through these mechanisms to ensure domestic action.
• A four-year deadlock on financial assistance was broken with a decision that the Global Environment Facility (GEF) will provide funding to developing countries for adaptation measures, technology needs identification, national communications, national programs to combat climate change, public awareness, and capacity building.
• Progress on technology transfer was limited to the establishment of a consultative process to recommend a 'framework for meaningful and effective actions,' following a deadlock between developing countries wanting a formal mechanism and industrialized countries arguing the private sector is the primary vehicle for transfer.
• Argentina broke from the G-77 and China bloc by promising to undertake a binding commitment to abate greenhouse gas emissions at COP-5 in 1999, a move described as a domestic political victory for the U.S. Clinton Administration.
• The conference highlighted a lack of transparency in the negotiating process, as several sovereign states, including Switzerland, were excluded from crucial high-level closed-door meetings dominated by the U.S., the EU, and the G-77/China.

APA

Kellett, V., & Carpenter, C. (n.d.). Inching Forward at the Climate Talks in Buenos Aires. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/cop4analysis.pdf

Chicago

Kellett, Victoria, and Chad Carpenter. Inching Forward at the Climate Talks in Buenos Aires. International Institute for Sustainable Development, n.d. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/cop4analysis.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Kellett |first1=Victoria |last2=Carpenter |first2=Chad |title=Inching Forward at the Climate Talks in Buenos Aires |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |url=https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/cop4analysis.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{kellettndinching, author = {Kellett, Victoria and Carpenter, Chad}, title = {{Inching Forward at the Climate Talks in Buenos Aires}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, url = {https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/cop4analysis.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }