ABSTRACT
COP-2 undoubtedly advanced the negotiations. But the issue of targets and timetables was left unresolved. The EU's submission to AGBM-5 contained a draft protocol structure calling for an Annex X, which would involve both 'developed country Parties and other Parties'. AGBM-6 is notable in that the Dutch Presidency of the EU formally tabled the group's position on targets and timetables, according to which all Annex X countries should cut the combined emissions of CO2, methane and N2O by 15 per cent by 2010 compared with 1990 emission levels. In January 1997, the EU was willing to sign an agreement that fell outside its initial negotiating position, mainly because its leaders were not prepared to leave Kyoto without one. The main outcome of COP-4 was the adoption of the 'Buenos Aires Plan of Action' (BAPA), which stated that the parties should aim to resolve by COP-6 a list of outstanding issues concerning the Kyoto Protocol.
