United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Overview of the Convention The parties to the convention recognized that

t there was a problem called climate change. This recognition led to their commitment to address this problem. The Convention set a goal of stabilizing greenhouse gases at a level to prevent dangerous human-induce interference with the climate system. It placed more burden on developed countries than developing countries, because it recognized the fact that developed countries contributed more to the problem due to historical and current gas emissions brought about by their industrialization. Under the convention, developed countries agreed to support climate change activities in developing countries by providing financial resources. These financial resources are to aid developing countries in complying with their commitments under the Convention. The Convention set a system of monitoring the status of the problem of climate change and how the Parties have taken actions and policies to tackle it It takes into account the fact that industrialization is needed for economic development, especially for developing countries. The Convention seeks to limit emissions without hindering economic progress. The Framework Convention lays down the principles on which international agreement and treaties on specific actions on climate change will be based.

Note: The Articles discussed below are abridged. Objective (Article 2) To achieve stabilization of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous human interference with the climate system To allow ecosystems to adapt naturally to climate change within a sufficient time-frame To ensure that food production is not threatened To enable sustainable economic development

Principles (Article 3) Actions to achieve the objective of the Convention and to implement its provisions shall be guided by the following principles:

Parties should protect the climate system for the benefit of both present and future generations of humankind. Developed countries should take the lead in combating climate change and its adverse effects. The Convention recognizes the common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities and social and economic conditions of the parties. The specific needs and special circumstances of developing countries should be given full consideration, given that they are the one vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change. Parties should take precautionary measures to anticipate, prevent or minimize the causes and effects of climate change and mitigate its adverse effects.(Precautionary principle) Activities that threaten serious or irreversible damage can be restricted or even prohibited before there is absolute scientific certainty about their effects.

The Parties have a right to and should promote sustainable development. Policies and measures to protect the climate system should be appropriate to allow economic development. The Parties should cooperate to promote a supportive and open international economic system that would lead to sustainable economic growth and development in all Parties. Measures to combat climate change should not constitute a means of arbitrary or unjustifiable discrimination or a disguised restriction on international trade.

Commitments (Article 4) All parties have the following commitments: Promote sustainable management as well as promote and cooperate in the conservation and enhancement of sinks and reservoirs The sinks and reservoirs are important parts of the climate system. Sinks refer to any process, activity or mechanism (like forests and other natural ecosystems) which removes greenhouse gases, while reservoirs refer to components of the climate system that store greenhouse gases.

Cooperate in preparing for adaption to the impacts of climate change Develop and elaborate appropriate and integrated plans for coastal zone management, water resources and agriculture, and for the protection and rehabilitation of areas affected by drought, desertification, and floods.

Promote and cooperate in the exchange of information related to climate change

Take climate change considerations into account, to the extent feasible, in their relevant social, economic and environmental policies and actions

Developed country Parties have the following commitments: Adopt national policies measures limiting greenhouse gas emissions. These policies and measures will demonstrate that developed countries are taking the lead in modifying longer-term trends in greenhouse gas emissions. Parties may implement policies and measures jointly with other Parties and may assist other Parties in contributing to the achievement of the objective of the Convention. A certain degree of flexibility shall be allowed to developed country Parties undergoing the process of transition to a market economy.

Identify and periodically review its own policies and practices which encourage activities that lead to greater levels of greenhouse gas emissions Provide financial resources to meet the agreed full costs incurred by developing country Parties in complying with their obligations to communicate information related to the implementation of the Convention, like a national inventory of greenhouse gas emissions and information about the steps taken by developing countries to implement the Convention Provide financial resources, including transfer of technology, needed by the developing country Parties to implement measures for them to meet the full incremental costs of implementing their commitments. The need for adequacy and predictability in the flow of funds and the importance of appropriate burden sharing among the developed country Parties should be taken into account.

Assist developing countries particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change in meeting costs of adaptation to the adverse effects. Take all practicable steps to promote, facilitate and finance, as appropriate, the transfer of, or access to, environmentally sound technologies and know-how to other Parties, particularly developing country Parties, to enable them to implement the provisions of the Convention.

Other commitments for all Parties: Parties shall give full consideration to what actions are necessary under the Convention, including actions related to funding, insurance and transfer of technology, to meet the specific needs and concerns of developing country Parties arising from the adverse effects of climate change and/or the impact of the implementation of response measures, especially on: Small island countries;

Countries with low-lying coastal areas; Countries with areas prone to natural disasters; (There are other described countries)

The Parties should take full account of the specific needs and special situations of the least developed countries in their actions with regard to funding and transfer of technology.

Financial Mechanism (Article 11) The developed country Parties may also provide and developing country Parties avail themselves of, financial resources related to the implementation of the Convention through bilateral, regional and other multilateral channels. See other provisions on financial mechanism to be provided by the Conference of the Parties itself.

Settlement of Disputes (Article 14) In the event of a dispute concerning the interpretation or application of the Convention, the Parties concerned shall seek a settlement of the dispute through negotiation or any other peaceful means of their own choice. Parties to the Convention may declare that it recognizes as compulsory ipso facto and without special agreement, in respect of any dispute: Submission of the dispute to the ICJ; and/or Arbitration

Sources: 1. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, 1992 2. Understanding Climate Change: A Beginners Guide to the UN Framework Convention and Its Kyoto Protocol, 2002 3. UNFCCC Website: http://unfccc.int