UN Framework Convention on Climate Change – UNFCCC

The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) sets out the basic legal framework and principles for international climate change cooperation with the aim of stabilizing atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases (GHGs) to avoid “dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system.”

To boost the effectiveness of the 1992 UNFCCC, the Kyoto Protocol was adopted in December 1997. It committed industrialized countries and countries in transition to a market economy to achieve quantified emissions reduction targets for a basket of six GHGs. The Kyoto Protocol’s first commitment period took place from 2008 to 2012. The 2012 Doha Amendment established the second commitment period from 2013 to 2020. In December 2015, parties adopted the Paris Agreement, which requires all parties to determine, plan, and regularly report on the nationally determined contribution (NDC) that it undertakes to mitigate climate change. Parties also submit aggregate progress on mitigation, adaptation, and means of implementation, which are reviewed every five years through a Global Stocktake.

Events

Showing 1 - 10 of 87 results

Bonn Climate Change Conference - June 2023

The UNFCCC Subsidiary Bodies meetings represent the last big milestone in climate negotiations before the culmination of the first Global Stocktake under the Paris Agreement at COP 28 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It will provide an opportunity to collectively reflect on where the world stands in terms of addressing climate change.
Event 5 June 2023 - 15 June 2023

Sharm El-Sheikh Climate Change Conference - November 2022

For the first time, countries agreed to recognize the need for finance to respond to loss and damage associated with the adverse effects of climate change, and quickly established a fund and the necessary funding arrangements, with the details to be worked out over the coming year.
Conference of the Parties (COP) 6 November 2022 - 20 November 2022

Bonn Climate Change Conference - June 2022

When delegates returned to Bonn after three years, the venue was the same, but so much else had changed: two parties are at war, greenhouse gas emissions are higher than ever, and climate impacts are increasing in severity. Loss and damage is now unavoidable—as are vulnerable countries’ calls for compensation.
Event 6 June 2022 - 16 June 2022

Glasgow Climate Change Conference

Despite divisive negotiations at COP 26, parties managed to finalize the Paris Agreement Rulebook and adopt other substantive outcomes. During the closing plenaries, parties reflected that the overall package was not perfect, and many stressed that they were adopting the package “in the spirit of compromise.”
Conference of the Parties (COP) 31 October 2021 - 12 November 2021

2021 Sessions of the UNFCCC Subsidiary Bodies

Delegates agreed to meet virtually, with the subsidiary bodies focused on a smaller set of agenda items in informal consultations only. To assuage some countries, there was no negotiating text or draft decisions in preparation for COP 26. Rather, progress on each item was captured in an informal note.
Event 31 May 2021 - 17 June 2021

Climate Ambition Summit 2020

On the fifth anniversary of the adoption of the Paris Agreement, the United Nations, United Kingdom, and France, in partnership with Chile and Italy, co-convened a high-level event to mobilize government and non-governmental leaders to demonstrate their commitment to the Paris Agreement and the multilateral process.  
Event 12 December 2020

UN Climate Change Dialogues 2020

With COP 26 delayed due to COVID-19, the UNFCCC decided to hold a series of virtual events to keep climate action and momentum alive, implement mandated events for 2020, and discuss ongoing and emerging issues, such as a sustainable recovery from the pandemic.  
Event 23 November 2020 - 4 December 2020

June Momentum for Climate Change

While a face-to-face meeting was impossible, the UNFCCC held a series of virtual events to keep climate action and momentum alive. Several events related to the work of the constituted bodies, which are the bodies that focus on implementing various aspects of the Convention and the Paris Agreement. These technical bodies provided updates on their work and future plans.  
Event 1 June 2020 - 10 June 2020

Chile/Madrid Climate Change Conference - December 2019

Disconnects between the demands of people, science, and what the process could deliver—and between countries that want to look to the future and those focused on the past—ultimately undermined the ability for the Chile/Madrid Climate Change Conference to deliver, despite COP 25 running nearly 40 hours overtime.  
Conference of the Parties (COP) 2 December 2019 - 15 December 2019

Latin America and Caribbean Climate Week 2019

Like other Climate Weeks held in various regions, the event is envisioned as a stepping stone to the UN 2019 Climate Summit where UN Secretary-General António Guterres has encouraged countries to announce new, more ambitious nationally determined contributions.
Event 19 August 2019 - 23 August 2019