First Consensus Reached in Cancun

Added by Annika L. Krugel on December 8, 2010

Guatemala and the Dominican Republic are the first countries to celebrate a unanimous consensus at the UN climate summit in Cancun, Mexico.

A first draft conclusion has been reached over Article 6 of the UN climate change convention, which promotes education, training and public awareness as the main driver for climate change action.

The decision will go before the Conference of the Parties (COPE) and supports formal and informal climate change education in schools and other institutions, as well as developing materials for education and public awareness.

It also recognises the participation of women, youth, indigenous peoples and civil society at all climate change meetings by the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) at national, regional and international levels.

In addition, it expresses that the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the financial arm of the UN climate change convention, should increase access to funding for activities under Article 6.

Some 150 countries under the UNFCC have already supported Article 6. However, it is argued that the scale of climate change challenges requires outreach activities on a much greater magnitude.

A youth representative said about the decision: “Both countries need a golden star for their effort – for delivering a consensus decision in 90 minutes.”