The 180-nation conference concluded on 17 November with the adoption of the "Nairobi Work programme on Impacts, Vulnerability and Adaptation" which will be supported by a fund to support concrete adaptation activities in developing countries.
"The conference has delivered on its promise to support the needs of developing countries," said Conference President, Kenyan Minister for Natural Resources and the Environment Kivutha Kibwana. "The positive spirit of the conference has prevailed."
A proposal by Brazil to provide incentives to reduce deforestation emissions in developing countries will be further explored in March 2007. Another proposal to allow funds under the Kyoto Protocol's Clean Development Mechanism to be used for carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects was held up until the technology gains in maturity.
Progress was slower on what to do after 2012 when the targets agreed under the Kyoto Protocol expire. A timetable was agreed to revise the protocol, with a review due in 2008.
The EU hailed the "solid results" of the conference. "We came here above all to drive progress on adaptation issues and pave the way for strong further action to cut emissions, and that is what we have done," said Finnish Environment Minister Jan-Erik Enestam.
"Now we need to ensure that action follows urgently," he added, reflecting concerns that progress on post-2012 action is too slow.
"I will work together with our partners to inject greater urgency and momentum into the international process of driving down emissions," said German Environment Minister Sigmar Gabriel, whose country will take over the EU presidency from Finland on 1 January 2007.
