In 1992, during the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) - also called the "Rio Earth Summit" -, it was decided to sign an international treaty, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), in order to tackle the phenomenon of climate change through the reduction of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions.
The treaty recognises the nature of a "common resource to be protected" to climate and the human responsibility related to the accumulation of greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere at a concentration level far higher than former historical concentrations. The convention aims at achieving "the stabilization of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a low enough level to prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system. Such a level should be achieved within a time frame sufficient to allow ecosystems to adapt naturally to climate change, to ensure that food production is not threatened and to enable economic development to proceed in a sustainable manner." (UNFCCC, art.2)
The conditions for its entry into force were fulfilled on 21 March 1994. The convention has been adopted up to now by 189 countries (by ratification, acceptance, approval or accession).
This convention is a legally non-binding instrument and sets no mandatory limits on GHG emissions, but one of the major objectives of this convention are to consider different options to reduce global warming and to cope with the potential temperature increases. The basis principle of the convention depends on the recognition of a "common but differentiated responsibility" and on the "respective capabilities" of the signatory states (Parties to the convention). The responsibility factor of a country is measured by dividing its total CO2-equivalent emissions by its number of inhabitants. The capability factor is measured by dividing the GDP of the country by its number of inhabitants.
It is also interesting to note that the convention points out the use of the precautionary principle in case of "serious or irreversible damage" and "lack of full scientific certainty".
Related documentation : UNFCCC text and ratification list
See also : Annex I countries and Economy In Transition (EIT) ; Synthesis document on International climate policy agreements
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