The Copenhagen Accord, a voluntary agreement drafted by Brazil, China, India, South Africa, and the United States at COP 15, does not represent the binding legal agreement hoped for by many in search of an extension or replacement of the Kyoto Protocol. It allowed countries to submit their individual reduced emissions pledges until January 31^st, 2010, but did not set a global limit on emissions. One-hundred and four countries (as of 2/22/10)  are now associated with the accord, some of whom didn’t send in their formal intent until after the deadline and, many of whom did not pledge specific emissions reduction targets by 2020.

The accord has been criticized by many in the developed and the developing world and includes the EU, Australia, South Africa, and The Group of 77 (G77), a loose coalition of developing countries. Developing countries were unhappy due to their perceived lack of voice in the drafting process while several developed countries and large emerging powers viewed the document as unacceptable and disappointing. In the end, many small countries did approve of the accord language due to the concessions made and money pledged to aid developing countries in the adaptation process, but they did not pledge their own emissions reductions.

Of signifance, the accord does include language and commitments to fund reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD-plus) actions relevant to Rainforest Partnership and our mission. Six countries (US, UK, Norway, France, Japan, and Australia) have pledged $3.5 billion to support immediate action on REDD+ while the world waits for global REDD policy to be adopted. Their pledge represents a recognition and commitment by developed countries to protect the world’s forests.