United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
Definition:
The Convention on Climate Change sets an overall framework for
intergovernmental efforts to tackle the challenge posed by climate change. It
recognizes that the climate system is a shared resource whose stability can be
affected by industrial and other emissions of carbon dioxide and other
greenhouse gases. The Convention enjoys near universal membership, with 191
countries having ratified.
Under the Convention, governments:
gather and share information on greenhouse gas emissions, national
policies and best practices
launch national strategies for addressing greenhouse gas emissions and
adapting to expected impacts, including the provision of financial and
technological support to developing countries
cooperate in preparing for adaptation to the impacts of climate
change
The Convention entered into force on 21 March 1994.
The 1997 Kyoto Protocol shares the Convention's objective, principles and
institutions, but significantly strengthens the Convention by committing Annex I
Parties to individual, legally-binding targets to limit or reduce their
greenhouse gas emissions. Only Parties to the Convention that have also become
Parties to the Protocol (i.e by ratifying, accepting, approving, or acceding to
it) will be bound by the Protocol's commitments. 175 Parties have ratified the
Protocol to date. Of these, 36 countries and the EEC [European Economic
Community, the former name of the European Community] are required to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions below levels specified for each of them in the treaty.
The individual targets (.) add up to a total cut in greenhouse-gas emissions of
at least 5% from 1990 levels in the commitment period 2008-2012.
The Kyoto Protocol entered into force on 16 February 2005.
