What is UNFCCC?
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is an international environmental treaty aimed at combating climate change by stabilizing greenhouse gas (GHG) concentrations in the atmosphere.
- Adopted during the Rio Earth Summit
- Came into force in 1994
- Secretariat located in Bonn
- Nearly 197 Parties (universal membership)
Key Principles of UNFCCC
1. Common But Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR)
- Developed countries bear greater responsibility
- Recognizes historical emissions
2. Equity Principle
- Fair distribution of responsibilities among nations
3. Precautionary Principle
- Lack of full scientific certainty should not delay action
4. Sustainable Development
- Climate actions must align with development goals
Conference of Parties (COP)
The Conference of Parties (COP) is the supreme decision-making body of UNFCCC.
Key Features:
- Held annually
- Reviews implementation of the Convention
- Negotiates new agreements
Important COP Outcomes:
- COP3 (Kyoto, 1997) → Kyoto Protocol
- COP21 (Paris, 2015) → Paris Agreement
- Recent COPs focus on climate finance, adaptation, and net-zero targets
Major Agreements under UNFCCC
1. Kyoto Protocol (1997)
- Legally binding emission reduction targets
- The Kyoto Protocol, adopted in 1997 and in force from 2005 to 2020, was the first legally binding international treaty requiring industrialized countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It operationalized the UNFCCC by setting binding targets for 37 nations to reduce emissions by an average of 5% below 1990 levels during 2008–2012.
2. Paris Agreement (2015)
- It is a legally binding international treaty adopted by 195 nations at COP21 in 2015, aiming to limit global temperature increases to well below 2°C—preferably 1.5°C—above pre-industrial levels.
- It entered into force on November 4, 2016, requiring countries to submit, update, and fulfill ambitious climate action plans (NDCs) every five years to combat climate change
Financial Mechanisms under UNFCCC
- Green Climate Fund (GCF)
- Global Environment Facility (GEF)
Developed countries are expected to provide climate finance to developing nations.
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