United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

Ad Hoc Group on the Berlin Mandate

In April 1995, the first Conference of the Parties to the Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 1) initiated negotiation of a protocol or other legal instrument involving a new set of post-2000 commitments for Annex I Parties (OECD and East European countries).

COP 1 agreed to a negotiating mandate and established a separate body for the negotiations, designated the "Ad Hoc Group on the Berlin Mandate" (AGBM)

The main aims of the mandate were:

- elaboration of policies and measures for Annex I parties;
- setting of quantified emission limitation and reduction objectives for Annex I parties, within specified timeframes, such as 2005, 2010 and 2020;
- reaffirmation and continued advancement of the implementation of parties' existing commitments in Article 4.1 of the Convention, including non-Annex I parties;
- consideration of coordination among Annex I parties, as appropriate, of relevant economic and administrative instruments;
- consideration of scientific information and relevant technical, social and economic information;
- analysis and assessment to identify possible policies and measures for Annex I parties; and
- consideration of the AOSIS draft protocol and other proposals and documents submitted to the AGBM process

The full text of the Berlin Mandate can be found on the Official Documents page at the Climate Change Secretariat web site (Document: FCCC/CP/1995/7/Add.1; Decision 1/CP.1)

The following Berlin Mandate negotiating sessions were held:

The Berlin Mandate negotiations concluded at COP3 with the adoption of the Kyoto Protocol.

Australia made three formal submissions to the AGBM:

- 28 October 1996;
- 15 January 1997; and
- 27 March 1997.