Remedying Discord in the Accord

The document argues that the Conference of the Parties (COP) must establish consistent, transparent, and accurate accounting rules to maintain the integrity of post-2012 climate agreements. It specifically recommends that the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) develop measurement, reporting, and verification guidelines based on existing National Communications guidelines and the Copenhagen Accord. To clarify Annex I pledges, the paper suggests using a supplemental form to gather detailed information on greenhouse gas coverage, sectors, land use (LULUCF), offsets, and surplus allowances from the Kyoto Protocol's first commitment period. The author asserts that these harmonized rules are essential for tracking aggregate performance against global temperature targets and for comparing emissions reductions across parties.

• To enhance the integrity of post-2012 climate agreements, the COP should decide to develop accounting rules that are consistent, complete, comparable, transparent, and accurate, while also clarifying the assumptions behind Annex I pledges.
• The paper recommends that the SBSTA be tasked with creating measurement, reporting, and verification guidelines for Annex I Party targets, utilizing the Copenhagen Accord and Part I of the Guidelines for the Preparation of Annex I National Communications as foundations.
• Annex I Parties should provide additional information via a supplemental form to clarify pledge details regarding greenhouse gas and sector coverage, land use, land-use change and forestry (LULUCF), national and international offsets (including double counting), and surplus allowances from the Kyoto Protocol's first commitment period.
• Harmonized accounting rules for Annex I pledges are necessary for two primary reasons: to track aggregate performance toward global temperature targets and to assess and compare emissions reductions.

APA

World Resources Institute (n.d.). Remedying Discord in the Accord. https://www.wri.org/research/remedying-discord-accord

Chicago

World Resources Institute. Remedying Discord in the Accord. n.d. https://www.wri.org/research/remedying-discord-accord.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=World Resources Institute |title=Remedying Discord in the Accord |url=https://www.wri.org/research/remedying-discord-accord |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{worldresourcesinstitutendremedying, author = {{World Resources Institute}}, title = {{Remedying Discord in the Accord}}, institution = {World Resources Institute}, url = {https://www.wri.org/research/remedying-discord-accord}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }