The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is the UN process for negotiating an agreement to limit dangerous climate change. It is an international treaty among countries to combat "dangerous human interference with the climate system". The main way to do this is limiting the increase in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. The Convention established the principle of "common but differentiated responsibilities," which asserts that all countries share responsibility for addressing climate change. However, developed countries are expected to assume a leading role because of their greater historical emissions. It was signed in 1992 by 154 states at the UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), known as the Earth Summit. The treaty entered into force in 1994. "UNFCCC" is also the name of the Secretariat charged with supporting the operation of the convention, with offices on the UN Campus in Bonn, Germany.
- Inception
- May 9, 1992
- Website
- http://unfccc.int/
