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United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) & Conference of Parties (COP)

What is United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) & Conference of Parties (COP)?

The UNFCCC is an international environmental treaty adopted in 1992 at the Rio Earth Summit, aiming to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system. The Conference of Parties (COP) is the supreme decision-making body of the UNFCCC, comprising all states that are Parties to the Convention, and meets annually.

Historical Background

The UNFCCC was signed by 154 states at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), also known as the Earth Summit, in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992. It entered into force on 21 March 1994. The first COP (COP1) was held in Berlin in 1995. Subsequent COPs have led to landmark agreements like the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement.

Key Points

8 points
  • 1.

    Objective: Stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations to prevent dangerous human interference with the climate system.

  • 2.

    Principles: Based on Common But Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC), acknowledging varying historical contributions and capacities.

  • 3.

    Annual COPs: Serve as the primary forum for international climate negotiations and decision-making.

  • 4.

    Reporting: Requires Parties to submit national reports on their climate change policies and measures.

  • 5.

    Secretariat: Provides organizational support and technical expertise for the Convention and its subsidiary bodies.

  • 6.

    Financial Mechanism: Established to provide financial resources to developing country Parties, operated by the Global Environment Facility (GEF).

  • 7.

    Technology Transfer: Promotes the development and transfer of environmentally sound technologies.

  • 8.

    Adaptation: Encourages Parties to formulate and implement measures to facilitate adaptation to climate change.

Visual Insights

Key Milestones of UNFCCC and COPs (1992-2026)

This timeline outlines the foundational events and major decisions under the UNFCCC, from its inception to the latest COPs, providing a chronological understanding of international climate policy.

The UNFCCC laid the groundwork for international climate action, evolving from initial frameworks like the Kyoto Protocol to the more inclusive Paris Agreement. The annual COPs serve as critical junctures for negotiation, assessment, and decision-making, reflecting the dynamic nature of global climate governance.

  • 1992Rio Earth Summit: UNFCCC adopted, signed by 154 states.
  • 1994UNFCCC enters into force (March 21).
  • 1995COP1 (Berlin): First Conference of Parties held.
  • 1997COP3 (Kyoto): Kyoto Protocol adopted, setting legally binding emission targets for developed countries.
  • 2005Kyoto Protocol enters into force.
  • 2009COP15 (Copenhagen): Developed countries pledge $100 billion annual climate finance by 2020.
  • 2012Doha Amendment to the Kyoto Protocol (Second Commitment Period).
  • 2015COP21 (Paris): Paris Agreement adopted, replacing Kyoto Protocol's framework.
  • 2023COP28 (Dubai): First Global Stocktake concludes, Loss and Damage Fund operationalized, consensus on fossil fuel transition.
  • 2024COP29 (Baku): Focus on New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) on climate finance.
  • 2025COP30 (Brazil): Expected submission of enhanced NDCs.

UNFCCC: Framework for Global Climate Action

This mind map illustrates the core components, principles, and key outcomes of the UNFCCC, highlighting its foundational role in international climate governance and its connection to UPSC syllabus.

UNFCCC (1992)

  • ●Objective: GHG Stabilization
  • ●Key Principles
  • ●Mechanisms & Bodies
  • ●Key Outcomes/Agreements

Recent Developments

4 developments
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COP28 in Dubai (2023) achieved a historic consensus on transitioning away from fossil fuels.

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Operationalization of the Loss and Damage Fund at COP28.

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Focus on implementing the Paris Agreement and increasing ambition of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

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Ongoing discussions on Global Goal on Adaptation and climate finance targets beyond 2025.

Source Topic

COP28: Fossil Fuel Transition Agreed, But Climate Finance Remains Critical

Environment & Ecology

UPSC Relevance

Critical for UPSC GS Paper 3 (Environment & Ecology, International Relations). Frequently asked in Prelims (dates, objectives, key COPs, associated protocols) and Mains (analysis of international climate governance, India's role, challenges).

Key Milestones of UNFCCC and COPs (1992-2026)

This timeline outlines the foundational events and major decisions under the UNFCCC, from its inception to the latest COPs, providing a chronological understanding of international climate policy.

1992

Rio Earth Summit: UNFCCC adopted, signed by 154 states.

1994

UNFCCC enters into force (March 21).

1995

COP1 (Berlin): First Conference of Parties held.

1997

COP3 (Kyoto): Kyoto Protocol adopted, setting legally binding emission targets for developed countries.

2005

Kyoto Protocol enters into force.

2009

COP15 (Copenhagen): Developed countries pledge $100 billion annual climate finance by 2020.

2012

Doha Amendment to the Kyoto Protocol (Second Commitment Period).

2015

COP21 (Paris): Paris Agreement adopted, replacing Kyoto Protocol's framework.

2023

COP28 (Dubai): First Global Stocktake concludes, Loss and Damage Fund operationalized, consensus on fossil fuel transition.

2024

COP29 (Baku): Focus on New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) on climate finance.

2025

COP30 (Brazil): Expected submission of enhanced NDCs.

Connected to current news

UNFCCC: Framework for Global Climate Action

This mind map illustrates the core components, principles, and key outcomes of the UNFCCC, highlighting its foundational role in international climate governance and its connection to UPSC syllabus.

UNFCCC (1992)

Prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference

CBDR-RC (Common But Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities)

Equity, Precautionary Principle

COP (Conference of Parties)

Secretariat, Subsidiary Bodies

Financial Mechanism (GEF)

Kyoto Protocol (1997)

Paris Agreement (2015)

COP28 Decisions (2023)

Connections
Objective: GHG Stabilization→Key Principles
Mechanisms & Bodies→Key Outcomes/Agreements
Key Principles→Key Outcomes/Agreements
UNFCCC (1992)→Objective: GHG Stabilization
+3 more