Press Release: UN conference on climate change: EU set to keep momentum in the global fight against climate change

Preview of the annual UN climate change conference starting on 6 December 2004 in Argentina. At the conference, which was taking place against the background of the recent ratification of the Kyoto Protocol by Russia, the EU planned to present its Emissions Trading System due to be launched on 1 January 2005 - a concrete step for the implementation of the EU commitment under the Kyoto protocol in a cost-efficient manner. Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas represented the European Commission at the conference, which brought together ministers and other senior representatives from 189 countries. The ambitious agenda focused on the successful implementation of Kyoto and its market-based mechanisms. Other important issues on the agenda were the support developing countries need to deal with the effects of climate change as well as a first discussion of future policies.

UNFCCC: Tenth Conference of the Parties (COP 10) http://unfccc.int/meetings/cop_10/items/2944.php

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