Second World Climate Conference Final Conference Statement

The Second World Climate Conference Declaration recognized that in case of failure to curb greenhouse gas (GHG) concentrations, the predicted climate change would place stresses on natural and social systems unprecedented in the past 10,000 years. Thus, it underscored that GHG emissions need to be stabilized, although without specific amounts or timelines. It noted possible issues on water, particularly the impacts of climate change on the hydrological cycle and water management systems. As to agriculture and food, the declaration notes the uncertainty on the magnitude and nature of the potential impacts of climate change and higher carbon dioxide on global food security. Regarding oceans, fisheries and coastal zones, it is recommended that a global ocean observing and data management system be developed for improving predictions of climate change. For the energy sector, the declaration recommends that industrialized countries must implement reductions greater than those required, on average, for the globe as a whole to stabilize atmospheric concentrations of GHGs while allowing for growth in emissions from developing countries. Furthermore, an improved adaptation of urban areas to local climatic regimes needs to be achieved by more appropriate layouts and building densities and improved building construction. Likewise, research into how human behavior contributes to and responds to climate change must have increased emphasis. The Declaration emphasizes the imperative need for development policies that not only reduce global warming trends but also increase economic and social resilience. It also recommends priority actions for forestry including assessing national opportunities to increase forest carbon storage.