The United Nations Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) 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 heat-trapping gases.

The UNFCCC, the first international measure to address the problem, was adopted in May 1992 and came into force in March 1994. It obliges all its signatories to establish national programmes for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and to submit regular reports, and demands that the industrialised signatory countries, as opposed to developing countries, stabilise their greenhouse gas emissions at 1990 levels by the year 2000. This goal, however, is non-binding.

By differentiating between industrialised and EIT (Economies in Transition) countries (Annex I countries) and developing countries (non-Annex I countries), the UNFCCC recognises that industrialised countries are responsible for most of the global greenhouse gas emissions and also have the institutional and financial capacities for reducing them. The Parties meet annually to review progress and discuss further measures, and a number of global monitoring and reporting mechanisms are in place to keep track of greenhouse gas emissions.

189 countries around the world have joined this international treaty that sets general goals and rules for confronting climate change.

Under the Convention, governments:

• Gather and share information on greenhouse gas emissions, national policies and best practices.
• Launch national strategies for addressing greenhouse emissions and adapting to expected impacts, including the provision of financial and technological support to developing countries.
• Cooperate in preparaing for adaptation to the impacts of climate change.

A secretariat staffed by international civil servants supports the Convention and its supporting bodies. It makes practical arrangements for meetings, compiles and distributes statistics and information, and assists member countries in meeting their commitments under the Convention. The secretariat is based in Bonn, Germany.

The ultimate objective of the Convention is:

“ … to achieve stabilization of atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases at levels that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic (human – induced) interference with the climate system…”

Defining what is meant by “dangerous” involves social and economic considerations as well as scientific judgement. The Convention does, however, state that the level of concentrations should be reached in a time frame that allows ecosystems to adapt naturally, food security to be preserved and economic development to proceed in a sustainable manner.

The Convention´s principles hinge on:

• Equity and common but differentiated responsibilities, which reflect the reality that, although climate change is a global issue and must be tackled as such, industrialised countries have historically contributed most to the problem and have more resources with which to remedy it. Developing countries, for their part, are more vulnerable to adverse effects and their capacity to respond is likely to be lower.
• A precautionary approach, or recognition that though many uncertainties surround climate change, waiting for certainty before taking action, or precautionary measures, runs the risk of being too late to avert the worst impacts. The Convention notes that “where there are threats of serious or irreversible damage, lack of full scientific certainty should not be used as a reason for postponing such measures.
• Recognition that development and climate change are interlinked and that patterns of energy consumption, land use and demographic growth are key drivers of both. The Convention sees sustainable economic growth and development as essential ingredients of successful policies to tackle climate change. It also calls for policies and measures dealing with climate change to be cost-effective, delivering global benefits at the lowest possible cost.