United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

The United Nations Frameworks on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was started mid-1992 in Rio de Janeiro as an international environmental treaty which then entered into full force in 1994. Essentially, the main goal of this Convention is,

“The stabilization of the concentrations of greenhouse gas to a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic or interference of the climate system by humans.”

The Convention states that such a level can only be achieved within a given time frame which is sufficient enough to give room for ecosystems to naturally adapt to climate changes, ensure there is no threat to the production of food and ensure sustainable economic development. There are non-binding limits on greenhouse gas emissions that are set for individual countries in this treaty, although it lacks enforcement mechanisms, which means that the treaty is not legally binding, and can’t hold a certain country accountable if they go over the limit (aka Canada – major issue being the oil -sands industry but that’s a topic for another day).

Article 3 (1) of the Convention requires,

“All parties to act towards the protection of the climate system with developed countries taking the lead in addressing matters relating to climate change.”

The irony that developed countries are the ones with the most carbon dioxide (CO2) output!

All parties are required under Article 4 of the Convention to make the necessary general commitments towards addressing climate change through actions such as the mitigation of climate change and also adapting to the eventual impacts that occur as a result of the climate change. Under the Convention, industrialized nations also agree to offer their support towards climate change activities in the developing nations through the provision of financial support for climate change actions. These nations also agree to share their technology with less-advanced countries.

These industrialized nations are also required to play the most and biggest part in cutting emissions in their home ground. They are regarded as Annex I countries that belong to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and a significant number of them have taken very strong actions towards mitigating climate change.

This Convention projects the uncertainties in anthropogenic GHG emissions and concentrations that are related to climate change. The global emissions all over the world should be consistent with the limitation of global warming to below 1.5 or 2 degree Celsius if global warming is to be kept below 2 degrees Celsius. Without having the necessary climate change mitigation policies, the increased use of fossil fuels and energy demand could lead to global warming over between 3.7 to 4.8 °C, which would be disastrous.