What happens to the reports is key. Virtually every international environmental agreement requires reports but they are often late, of poor quality, and include questionable data. Getting the reporting system to be effective is much more important than the actual goals and timetables in the convention. GEF, which has operated for three years, will be the financial mechanism for implementing the climate and biodiversity treaties. Issues relevant to how the Convention has evolved Among the symbols that drive politics are the fear of surprise and catastrophe.
Symbols are central because the stakes are high and facts are soft.
This issue has been put on the agenda by the environmental movement in industrialized countries. Developing countries have been dragged into the issue and have not set the agenda. The developing countries have focused on other issues like financial resources, technology transfer, and equity. If surprise occurs, it will affect the symbols. Many surprises will occur, and scientists will spend more time debunking the link between global warming and unsurprising events than actually identifying real surprises.