United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
Quick Summary
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is an international treaty adopted in 1992. Its primary objective is to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere to prevent dangerous human interference with the climate system. The treaty recognizes that countries have "common but differentiated responsibilities," meaning industrialized nations, which have historically contributed more to emissions, should lead in reducing them.1
The Kyoto Protocol, adopted in 1997 as an addition to the UNFCCC, set specific emission reduction targets for industrialized countries. It aimed to reduce the emission of six greenhouse gases by 5.2 percent below 1990 levels during the 2008-2012 commitment period. The protocol allowed countries to meet targets through domestic policies, carbon sinks, emissions trading, joint implementation, and clean development mechanisms.21
While hailed as a significant environmental treaty, the Kyoto Protocol faced challenges, including the non-ratification by the United States and the exclusion of major emitters like China from mandatory reductions. The Paris Agreement, adopted in 2015, effectively replaced the Kyoto Protocol, establishing a global commitment to limit temperature increases and requiring all countries to set emission reduction targets.23
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