United Nations Framework Convention on climate change
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is an international environmental treaty established in 1992. It aims to address the global issue of climate change and its impacts on the planet.
The UNFCCC was a result of the Earth Summit held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1992. The convention sets out a framework for international cooperation to combat climate change by stabilizing greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere. It recognizes that climate change is a global problem that requires collective action from all countries.
The ultimate objective of the UNFCCC is to prevent dangerous human interference with the climate system. The convention emphasizes the principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities,” which acknowledges that developed countries have historically contributed the most to greenhouse gas emissions and therefore have a greater responsibility in addressing climate change. However, it also recognizes the need for cooperation and support to developing countries in their efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change.
The UNFCCC has a Conference of the Parties (COP) as its supreme decision-making body. The COP meets annually, bringing together representatives from nearly 200 countries, as well as observers from intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations, and other stakeholders. The COP sessions serve as a platform for negotiating and adopting climate agreements, discussing progress, and setting future climate targets.
The most notable outcome of the UNFCCC is the adoption of the Kyoto Protocol in 1997, an international treaty that sets binding emission reduction targets for developed countries. The protocol entered into force in 2005 but was replaced by the Paris Agreement in 2015.
The Paris Agreement is currently the primary focus of the UNFCCC. It aims to limit global warming well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius. The agreement sets out a framework for countries to make voluntary contributions to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change. It also establishes mechanisms for financial and technological support to developing countries.
The UNFCCC and its related agreements play a crucial role in shaping global climate action, promoting sustainable development, and fostering international cooperation to tackle the challenges of climate change.
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