United Nations Climate council: Some good news, bad news

Almost missed the latest stats from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), but saw an item this morning in the paper, so I went and sussed out the news the organization released just before Thanksgiving.

I'm generally optimistic, so I'm going to key in on the part of its report that I like: While emissions of carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide exuded by the 40 industrialized countries tracked in its report reached an all-time high in 2005, the agency projects that some of the countries will actually exceed their target reductions during the period from 2008 to 2012 (the first reduction period set by the Kyoto Protocol).

The UNFCCC actually anticipates that total reduction will be 11 percent, well above the 5 percent reduction target. Moreover, some countries, notably those in the European Union, could achieve 15 percent reduction, the agency reported.

Of course, there are some nations that will not meet the target reductions.

I'm sure we'll hear a lot more about the numbers when the UNFCCC convenes in Bali early next month to discuss what comes next, after the Kyoto Protocol treaty expires in 2012.