UNFCCC

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is an international environmental treaty adopted and implemented in 1994 to address the issue of climate change. Near-universal membership was attained, with 197 countries ratifying the agreement.

Under the treaty, industrialized countries are expected to be in the forefront of reducing emissions. Industrialized countries also have to report regularly on their climate change policies and provide annual inventories of greenhouse gas emissions since 1990. Developing countries also are required to report their actions to address and adapt to climate change. The UNFCCC acknowledges that developing nations’ share of emissions is likely to grow, and it strives to help these countries contain emissions so as not to weaken their economies. They also have agreed to provide financial support to developing countries to mitigate the impact of climate change.