environment

• UNFCCC


  An international treaty negotiated at the Earth Summit in 1992 that has provided a basis for international climate change negotiations.
• 197 states have signed with 127 ratified the UNFCCC
• the ultimate goal of the UNFCCC is the stabilisation of greenhouse gas concentration
• UNFCCC three mechanisms:

  -common but differentiated responsibility

  -establishing major institutions, structures and processes

  -data-gathering, knowledge-building and clear communication
• common but differentiated responsibility (UNFCCC)

  acknowledges that states have different capabilities and responsibilities. should address climate change in an "equitable and appropriate" way
• establishing major institutions, structures and processes (UNFCCC)

  • conference of the parties- supreme body to regularly review, devise, agree and implement climate policy.
  • a secretariat- coordinates sessions of the Conference of the Parties, prepares reports and compiles information, providing particular assistance to developing countries
  • subsidiary bodies- provides scientific and technological advice and assess how well the convention is being implemented
• data-gathering, knowledge-building and clear communication (UNFCCC)

  Parties are required to gather and share data to build evidence, set goals and track progress. The convention requires countries to promote climate education, awareness and training to the public
• impact of the UNFCCC

  led to subsequent agreements such as the Kyoto Protocol and Paris Agreement
• Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)


  UN body set up as an internationally accepted authority on climate change.
• Global Commons


  areas and resources that are un-owned and beyond national jurisdiction
• Tragedy of the commons

  situation within a shared resource system where individual users acting independently and rationally according to their own self-interest behave contrary to the common good of all users by depleting that resource
• Egypt COP 27 2022

  led to the first loss and damage fund
• Glasgow COP 26 2021

  • Glasgow climate pact- explicitly planning to reduce coal usage
  • promised more climate finance for developing countries
• Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)

  UN body set up as an internationally accepted authority on climate change