UNITED NATIONS FRAMEWORK CONVENTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE (UNFCCC)

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is an international environmental treaty addressing climate change, negotiated and signed by 154 states at the 1992 Earth Summit (Rio de Janeiro).
It established a Secretariat in Bonn and entered into force on 21 March 1994.

The Kyoto Protocol (1997, in force 2005) was the first extension to UNFCCC.
It was later superseded by the Paris Agreement (in force 2016).

As of Nov 2020: All 196 members signed; 188 remain party. Only major emitters not party: Iran, Turkey, USA.

The Conference of Parties (COP) meets annually.
COP 8 (New Delhi) adopted Delhi Ministerial Declaration focusing on tech transfer and minimizing climate impact on developing nations.

Country Groups:

• Annex I – Industrialized OECD nations (1992) + Economies in Transition (EIT).
• Annex II – OECD members of Annex I (excluding EIT). They fund developing nations and support tech transfer.
• Non‑Annex I – Mostly developing countries; many highly vulnerable to climate change impacts.
• LDCs (49 nations) receive special consideration due to low adaptive capacity.

IMPORTANT CLIMATE CHANGE CONFERENCES

COP 3 – KYOTO PROTOCOL (1997)

• Adopted in Kyoto on 11 Dec 1997; in force from 16 Feb 2005.
• 192 parties (Canada withdrew in 2012). India is a member.
• Implemented UNFCCC objective to reduce GHGs to prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference.
• Covers six GHGs: CO2, CH4, N2O, HFCs, PFCs, SF6.
• Kyoto had legally binding emission cuts for developed nations only.
• Paris Agreement requires action from all nations (binding in spirit, not on individual targets).

COP 7 – MARRAKECH ACCORDS (2001)

• Established rules for implementing Kyoto Protocol.
• Adaptation Fund established in 2001; operational in 2007.
• Adaptation Fund finances climate adaptation in developing countries.
• World Bank is trustee; AFB has 16 members and 16 alternates.
• It allows Direct Access through accredited national agencies.

COP 11 – MONTREAL (2005)

• First Meeting of Parties to Kyoto Protocol (CMP 1).
• Marked entry into force of Kyoto Protocol.
• Montreal Action Plan extended Kyoto beyond 2012.

COP 13 – BALI ACTION PLAN (2007)

• Adopted at COP13 in Indonesia.
• Bali Road Map designed for a two‑year negotiation cycle toward the Copenhagen summit.
• Five pillars: Shared vision, Mitigation, Adaptation, Technology, Finance.

COP 15 – COPENHAGEN ACCORD (2009)

• Drafted by USA + BASIC (Brazil, India, China, South Africa).
• Not legally binding.
• No binding successor to Kyoto.
• Recognized need to limit temperature rise below 2°C.

COP 16 – CANCUN (2010)

• Created Green Climate Fund (GCF) with goal of mobilizing USD 100 billion annually.
• Also created Climate Technology Centre & Network (CTCN).

COP 18 – DOHA AMENDMENT (2012)

• Established Kyoto Protocol’s second commitment period (2013–2020).
• Became legally binding after sufficient ratifications.

COP 19 – WARSAW (2013)

• Established Warsaw International Mechanism (WIM) for Loss and Damage.
• Also created Santiago Network.
• Adopted Warsaw Framework for REDD+ (7 decisions).

COP 20 – LIMA (2014)

• Pushed for Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) before Paris.
• Goal: limit warming to 2°C.
• No consensus due to developed–developing disagreements.

COP 21 – PARIS AGREEMENT (2015)

• Legally binding treaty adopted by 196 parties.
• Entered into force on 4 Nov 2016.
• Goal: limit warming to well below 2°C, ideally 1.5°C.
• Aims for climate neutrality by mid‑century.
• Works on 5‑year NDC update cycle.
• Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF) governs reporting.
• Long-Term Low Emission Strategies (LT‑LEDS) encouraged (not mandatory).

COP 22 – MARRAKECH (2016)

• Called “Action COP”.
• Launched Marrakech Partnership for Global Climate Action.
• Focused on implementation.
• Launched Adaptation of African Agriculture (AAA).

COP 23 – BONN (2017)

• Presided by Fiji (first small island state presidency).
• Focused on technical rules for Paris Agreement.
• First COP after US withdrawal announcement.

COP 24 – KATOWICE (2018)

• Adopted the “Paris Rulebook”.
• 50 countries signed Silesia Declaration (Just Transition for workers).
• Launched “Forests for Climate” declaration.

COP 25 – MADRID (2019)

• Originally set for Chile.
• Aimed to finalize Paris rulebook (unfinished).
• Adopted a 5‑year Gender Action Plan (GAP).
   

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Subject: Environment

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