Jordan and Climate Change

By: Mahmoud Al-Dwairi on November 24th, 2009

In 1992, Jordan signed the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change that confirmed the need for country actions to address climate change with “common but differentiated responsibilities” between developed and developing countries

Jordan acceded to the Kyoto Protocol in 2003 and in 2005 it came into force, setting emissions targets for the developed countries and creating flexible mechanisms that allow payments for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions to developing countries.

Although Jordan is not contributing more than 0.1 % to the global total of GHGs , it’s facing the effects of climate change, as presented in the Fourth Assessment Report (AR4) of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Precipitation (rain, snow and mist) is expected to decrease by 20%, with an increase in temperature of 2.5 C.

Jordan is really concerned about the adverse effects of climate change, including sea level rise and desertification. These threaten sustainable development, livelihoods and the very existence of many developing countries.

Jordan is a country which is and will continue to be severely impacted by climate change. Acknowledging the seriousness of this crisis, especially for developing countries, Jordan has called for the climate issue to be dealt with in the context of development, and strongly emphasizes the principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities”. It believes that developed countries should take all necessary actions to fulfill their commitments under the Kyoto Protocol and should assist developing countries to cope with the climate crisis.

Jordan also supports the central role of the UN on climate change and has warned that any special events or initiatives (individual, national, regional or multilateral) should complement ongoing negotiations under the Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

Jordan’s position in the international forum for negotiation on climate change is that the UNFCCC and the Protocol are the only track to be followed to reach an agreement.

Effective mitigation is the key way to resolve climate change, by reducing GHG concentrations in the atmosphere. Jordan is convinced that all efforts to address climate change will remain fruitless, unless developed countries have a specific responsibility to make deeper cuts in emissions in accordance with the commitments made under the Protocol.

Jordan’s view is that the IPCC, acting as the technical arm of the UNFCCC, needs full support to maintain its work.