United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is a framework treaty for intergovernmental efforts to address climate change. It aims to curb the average global temperature increase and its impacts which, by the time the treaty was adopted, were already inevitable. Article 2 states that the ultimate objective of the UNFCCC is to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere “at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system." 

The UNFCCC also provides the principles to guide the Parties in its implementation including:

• Protecting the climate system for the benefit of present and future generations of humankind.
• Consideration of the special and specific needs of developing country Parties.
• Promotion of sustainable development. 

It also states the general commitments of the Parties, pursuant to which developed countries (listed in Annex I) take the lead in modifying longer-term trends in anthropogenic emissions consistent with the objective of the Convention. Developed countries (listed in Annex II) shall also provide new and additional financial resources to meet the agreed full costs incurred by developing country Parties in complying with their obligations. It likewise provides for reporting by the Parties on climate change policies and measures.