• BLOG: the view from Bali.

  • Eyes of the world on Bali
  • Second Life climate talks on Second Nature - no air travel required
  • UN climate conference sees diverse opinions emerge
  • Rocky start to Bali relationship
  • Scientists speak out in Bali
  • Major emitters: binding cuts crawling off the table in Bali
  • Interview: Rajendra Pachauri in Bali
  • Coughing up the cash
  • Talk of targets overshadows birthday celebrations

• EDITORIAL: Seeing the wood for the trees

  29 November 2007

• NEWS: UN talks only one part of the negotiations needed on climate

  Parallel discussions have important role to play.

  5 December 2007

• NEWS: Scientists issue declaration at Bali

  International researchers put their names to a proposal for emissions cuts.

  6 December 2007

• NEWS: Kyoto Protocol turns 10 in Bali

  Talk of targets overshadows birthday celebrations.

  11 December 2007

Watch this space for updates.

Working group 1: The Physical Science

Feb 2007, Paris

Finds that it is "very likely" (more than 90% certain) that human activity is driving climate change by increasing levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

• Climate report released

• Special Report: From words to action

Working group 2: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability

April 2007, Brussels

Concludes that climate change is already having an impact on the planet, and future problems caused by rising seas, growing deserts and more frequent droughts are likely to affect the developing world more than industrialized nations.

• Climate takes aim

• Special Report: From words to action

Working group 3: Mitigation of Climate Change

May 2007, Bangkok

Reports that bringing greenhouse gas emissions under control at a level that is likely to avoid the worst effects of global warming is both achievable and affordable, with an estimated cost of no more than 3% of global economic productivity by 2030.

• Climate panel offers grounds for optimism

• Climate talks seek to rein in greenhouse gases

Synthesis report

Nov 2007, Valencia

Condenses the three previous reports and features a new discussion of "dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system," saying that delaying emissions reductions would "significantly constrain the opportunities� and increase the risk of more severe climate change impacts."

• IPCC talks tough

2007: IPCC 4th assessment

See news stories listed above.

2007: IPCC and Al Gore share the Nobel Peace Prize

• Climate change - a Nobel cause

2006: COP-12, Nairobi

• Developing countries get climate adaptation boost

• Developing world concerned over climate fund

2005: COP-11, Montreal

• Climate talks edge towards twin-track future

• Developing nations offer hope in climate talks

• UN Climate Change Conference, Montreal

2005: Kyoto Protocol comes into effect

2004: Russia announces its intention to ratify Kyoto, which will bring the protocol into force.

• Russia backs Kyoto treaty

2004: COP-10, Buenos Aires

• US proves a wet blanket at international climate meeting

• United States on sidelines of climate talks

2003: COP-9, Milan

• Disillusionment and doubt undermine Kyoto's birthday bash

2001: IPCC 3rd assessment

IPCC says the probability that "most of the warming" over the second half of the twentieth century was caused by increases in greenhouse-gas emissions is greater than 66%.

• What is 'dangerous' climate change?

• Assessment ups the ante on climate change

1997: Kyoto Protocol signed

This commits developed nations to reduce overall emissions to an average of 5% under 1990 levels by 2012. Not all UNFCCC members will sign and ratify the deal.

• Kyoto meeting bridges gaps, though differences remain

• Kyoto agreement creates new agenda for climate research

• Battling for science takes its toll on UN climate panel stalwarts

• Faith, hope and tact needed for US ratification

• Post-Kyoto agendas

1995: IPCC 2nd assessment

IPCC reports that "the balance of evidence suggests a discernible human influence on global climate."

• Climate report cuts call for strong policies

1992: Earth Summit (United Nations Conference on Environment and Development), Rio de Janeiro

The UNFCCC is established, encouraging nations to stabilize greenhouse gas levels.

• Editorial: Two successful weeks at Rio

1990: IPCC 1st assessment

IPCC's first assessment becomes the seminal document as policy makers head into the Earth Summit to negotiate the first global warming treaty.

• Towards a greenhouse treaty?

1988: IPCC established

The World Meteorological Organization and the United Nations Environment Programme create the IPCC to review global warming, its impacts and potential solutions.

• Is the global carbon market working?

  The Clean Development Mechanism can be viewed not only as a market, but also as a subsidy and a political mechanism. Michael Wara argues that it has been most effective, so far, in achieving its political goals.

• Lifting the taboo on adaptation

  Renewed attention to policies for adapting to climate change cannot come too soon for Roger Pielke, Jr, Gwyn Prins, Steve Rayner and Daniel Sarewitz.

• Spring-time for sinks

  Carbon sinks play a key role in slowing the growth of carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere. These sinks are at risk as the world warms, but their demise is not inevitable, say Dave Reay and his colleagues.

• A handful of carbon

  Locking carbon up in soil makes more sense than storing it in plants and trees that eventually decompose, argues Johannes Lehmann. Can this idea work on a large scale?

• Time to ditch Kyoto

  Climate policy after 2012, when the Kyoto treaty expires, needs a radical rethink. More of the same won't do, argue Gwyn Prins and Steve Rayner.