UNFCCC COP Explorer

Refers to work under Article 6 of the Convention and Article 12 of the Paris Agreement. The goal of ACE is to empower all members of society to engage in climate action, through climate change education and public awareness, training, public participation, public access to information, and international cooperation.

Actions to address the impacts of climate change. This includes building flood defenses, creating drought-resistant crops, and developing early warning systems for extreme weather events.

A group of countries listed in Annex I of the UNFCCC, including industrialised countries and economies in transition. These countries are expected to take the lead in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

A subset of Annex I countries that consist of OECD member countries, but not the Economies in Transition. Annex II have a specific obligation to provide financial resources and technology transfers to support developing countries. Funding by Annex II countries is channelled mostly through the Convention’s financial mechanism.

Tracks the increasing amount of heat being added to the atmosphere by human-related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The total direct heating influence in a given year is compared to conditions in 1990, the benchmark year used for the Kyoto Protocol.

Article 2 sets three goals: keep global warming well below 2°C and try to limit it to 1.5°C; help countries adapt to the impacts they can't avoid; and shift public and private finances away from high-carbon activities and towards clean, climate-resilient ones. It also says countries pursue these goals fairly, recognising that they don't all start from the same place.

Article 6 lets countries help each other cut emissions and count it towards their own climate targets. If one country pays for emission cuts in another, the two must agree who gets to count the reduction, so the same tonne isn't claimed twice. It covers three routes: direct deals between two countries, a UN-supervised system for issuing carbon credits, and cooperation that doesn't involve trading at all, such as sharing policy or technology.

Introduced under the Paris Agreement's Enhanced Transparency Framework, BTRs replace the former biennial reports and biennial update reports. All Parties submit BTRs every two years, reporting on GHG inventories, NDC progress, climate finance, and adaptation actions

The Blue Zone is a UNFCCC managed site, open to accredited party and observer delegates. Formal negotiations are held in the Blue Zone. It also accommodates the Leaders’ Summit, the country pavilions, presidency events, and hundreds of side events including panel discussions, round tables, and cultural events.

A reform agenda led by Barbados' Prime Minister Mia Mottley, launched in 2022. It calls for an overhaul of the international financial system so it can better address climate change and the development needs of vulnerable countries. Proposals include reforming multilateral development banks, adding disaster clauses that pause debt repayments, and preventing developing countries from falling into debt crises when repeated disasters push up their borrowing.

The total amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) the world can emit while still staying within the 1.5°-2°C temperature limit. The IPCC regularly publishes updated estimates of the remaining carbon budget.

Certificates representing the reduction or removal of one tonne of CO₂ (or equivalent) from the atmosphere. They can be traded on carbon markets and allow entities to compensate for their emissions by funding mitigation activities elsewhere.

If the balance between the amount of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emitted and the amount removed from the atmosphere is zero.

A market-based mechanism for controlling pollution by providing economic incentives for achieving reductions in the emissions of pollutants. The main form is the trading of greenhouse gas emission allowances. Article 6 of the Paris Agreement governs international carbon market cooperation.

Involves directly funding or financially investing in processes that tackle climate change. The UNFCCC’s Standing Committee on Finance defines climate finance as 'finance that aims at reducing emissions, enhancing sinks of greenhouse gases, reducing vulnerability of, and maintaining and increasing the resilience of human and ecological systems to negative climate change impacts.'

Climate justice recognises that climate change disproportionately affects marginalised groups and strives for justice through equitable climate policies, such as including young people among those most vulnerable to climate change. Climate justice lays the foundation for a sustainable future through intersectionality.

A principle recognising that all countries are responsible for addressing climate change, but their levels of responsibility and capability differ.

Annual meeting of the UNFCCC parties’ delegates. The delegates review the convention’s implementation and make the necessary plans to ensure their continued implementation. Today, there are 198 Parties to the Convention, which evaluate the impacts of measures introduced to limit climate change.

Annual meeting held the week before COP by the youth constituency of the UNFCCC (YOUNGO) to prepare the youth delegations for COP, to build youth networks, and to provide capacity-building. It is organised by youth and for youth around the world.

The main channel for the provision of technical assistance and support to developing countries in fulfilling their reporting requirements. This refers to measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV) under the Convention and the enhanced transparency framework (ETF) under Article 13 of the Paris Agreement. The CGE is composed of 27 experts from different regions and international organisations.

Roadmaps of transformational processes that deliver long-lasting and permanent emissions reductions. According to The Climate Group, they 'start with a government’s long-term greenhouse gas emissions reduction goal and then work backwards to identify the technologies, infrastructure and investments required to achieve it.'

Formal agreements or conclusions reached through negotiations during UNFCCC meetings. These texts detail commitments, plans, and actions that countries agree to undertake.

In the context of climate change, emissions are the act of releasing greenhouse gases (GHGs) into the atmosphere. GHGs include carbon dioxide and methane, and it is possible to measure the amount of emissions attributed to different products or activities.

Established under Article 13 of the Paris Agreement, the ETF replaced the previous dual-track transparency system with a single, more robust framework. All Parties submit Biennial Transparency Reports (BTRs) under the ETF, with some flexibility for developing countries.

Fossil fuels are a classification of hydrocarbons which are of biological origin and can be used as a source of energy, such as coal, natural gas, and crude oil. Upon combustion, these fuels create greenhouse gas emissions, the primary cause of climate change.

A dedicated fund established at COP27 (2022) and operationalised at COP28 (2023) to assist developing countries that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change. It provides finance for loss and damage that cannot be adapted to or mitigated.

The largest negotiating bloc at the UNFCCC, which represents over 130 developing countries and China. G77 is very diverse but they often negotiate together to amplify their collective voice. It was initially founded with 77 members.

GEF is a fund set up in 1991 to help developing countries tackle environmental problems, from climate change to biodiversity loss and pollution. It is one of the funds the UNFCCC uses to channel climate finance, and it also serves several other environmental treaties. It runs two climate-specific funds: the Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF) and the Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF).

A range of agreed items at COP26, including strengthened efforts to build resilience to climate change, to curb greenhouse gas emissions and to provide the necessary finance for both. Nations reaffirmed their work to reduce the gap between existing emission reduction plans and what is required to reduce emissions. For the first time, they called for a phase down of unabated coal power and inefficient subsidies for fossil fuels.

Established under Article 7 of the Paris Agreement, the GGA aims to enhance adaptive capacity, strengthen resilience, and reduce vulnerability to climate change.

Periodic assessment under the Paris Agreement, evaluating collective progress toward its goals.

A fund established within the framework of the UNFCCC to assist developing countries in adaptation and mitigation practices to counter climate change. It aims to mobilise funding from both public and private sources.

The Green Zone is a hub open to civil society organised by the COP host country with NGOs, businesses, youth, academics, and other communities coming together to showcase their commitment to climate action and a more sustainable future. The Green Zone is open to delegates and guests of the Blue Zone, Public and Private Sector, NGOs, and the General Public.

The host country is the nation in which the COP of the year is held. The host country for COP31 (2026) is Türkiye, with Australia as President of Negotiations. The host country of the COP normally rotates among the five United Nations regional groups (Africa, Asia-Pacific, Eastern Europe, Latin American and the Caribbean, and Western European and Others), with regional group members determining which country from their region will host the conference.

IPCC assesses science related to climate change and advances scientific knowledge and transparency about climate change caused by human activities. Through their research, they can determine the state of knowledge on climate change. Whilst regularly publishing reports tailored to the needs of different target groups, i.e. politicians or scientists, this international body of experts only recommends policy and doesn’t create policy.

Emission reductions transferred between countries under Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement. When one country transfers an ITMO to another, it must apply a corresponding adjustment to avoid double-counting the reduction in both countries' NDC accounting.

Within the context of the UNFCCC, the term “Just Transition” was first mentioned in Decision 1/CP.16 where it was framed as, ‘A shared vision for long-term cooperative action’ and ‘economic and social consequences of response measures.'

Adopted at the third COP in 1997, the Kyoto Protocol sets binding targets for developed countries to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions below 1990 levels. By setting specific emission reduction targets to nations with historically high emissions, often referred to as Annex I parties, the international community tried to hold those accountable who were deemed most responsible for climate change. The United States never ratified the Protocol and Canada withdrew at a later stage. Other countries (e.g., Russia) also did not take on new targets in the second commitment period.

The LLDCs are a negotiating bloc under the UNFCCC, composed of 32 countries, with a strong overlap with the LDC group. The objectives of the Group of LLDCs are to ensure that outcomes of UN climate change negotiations reflect the specific interests and priorities related to the members' landlocked nature and developing country status.

LDCs are low-income countries confronting severe structural impediments to sustainable development. They are highly vulnerable to economic and environmental shocks and have low levels of human assets. There are currently 44 countries on the list of LDCs.

A fund established under the UNFCCC in 2001, managed by the GEF, to support LDCs in preparing and implementing National Adaptation Programmes of Action (NAPAs) and National Adaptation Plans (NAPs).

Article 4.19 of the Paris Agreement points out that it is necessary for countries to prepare and submit long-term climate strategies that carry through to mid-century or 2050 to the UNFCCC Secretariat. Strategies are important because they can help evaluate and demonstrate socio-economic benefits of the transition, strengthen and guide NDCs, help prevent fossil fuel-intensive investments, send clear green economic signals and facilitate a just transition, climate financing and institutional strengthening.

The UNFCCC SBI relies on the following L&D working definition, “the actual and/or potential manifestation of impacts associated with climate change in developing countries that negatively affect human and natural systems.” Examples of these impacts include rising sea levels, extreme heat waves, ocean acidification, and species extinction. During COP27, a L&D Fund was decided to provide financial assistance to nations most affected by and vulnerable to the effects of climate change.

In a climate science context, the IPCC describes mitigation as “human intervention to reduce the sources or enhance the sinks of greenhouse gases.” In contrast to adaptation, mitigation reduces or prevents greenhouse gas emissions. This can include cleantech, renewable energy, retrofitted equipment, and changes in consumption behaviour.

Mountains, with their rich biological and cultural diversity, play a crucial role in the livelihoods of millions of people. With climate change having a significant impact on these regions, access to context-specific knowledge is essential for mountainous countries to implement effective adaptation action. Preserving mountain landscapes and their ecological services is vital for climate resilience, disaster risk reduction, and the overall health of the planet.

A process under the UNFCCC that enables countries to identify medium- and long-term adaptation needs and develop strategies to address them. NAPs are continuous, progressive, and country-driven.

Under Article 4.9 of the UNFCCC, in 2001, the COP established the least developed countries (LDC) work programme, that included the national adaptation programmes of action (NAPAs), to support LDCs to address the challenge of climate change given their particular vulnerability.

Established: a Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF) to fund the preparation and implementation of NAPAs and an LDC Expert Group (LEG) to provide technical support and advice to the LDCs.

Article 6 of the Convention on General Measures for Conservation and Sustainable Use states that each Contracting Party shall develop national strategies, plans or programmes for the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity or adapt for this purpose existing strategies. Due to the synergies between NDCs, NAPs and NBSAPs, they are often viewed to have to be achieved together and for strategies to take note of each other.

NDCs are the climate actions of individual countries under the Paris Agreement. Each country outlines the actions it will take to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance resilience to rising temperatures and submit them by 2020 and every five years thereafter.

At COP15 in Copenhagen developed countries pledged to mobilise $100 billion per year by 2020. The New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) agreed at COP29 sets a new target of $300 billion per year by 2035. A new global climate finance goal meant to be adjusting climate finance to be more in line with the needs and priorities of developing countries.

Countries not listed in Annex I of the UNFCCC, primarily developing countries. They are not subject to binding emission reduction targets under the original UNFCCC framework but are encouraged to engage in mitigation efforts and are supported in adaptation efforts.

Entities that participate in COP but are not Parties to the UNFCCC. They include intergovernmental organisations, NGOs, business and industry groups, local governments, research institutions, and youth organisations. They can attend sessions, make statements, and submit inputs, but cannot vote.

The ocean is a vast carbon sink and vital oxygen source for the planet. Tourism and fisheries are economically significant human activities that are interrelated with ocean systems. However, the ocean is facing a multitude of challenges due to climate change and pollution, most notably ocean acidification, rising tides and temperatures, plastic pollution, and eutrophication.

The Paris Agreement is a legally binding international treaty designed to address climate change adaptation, mitigation, and financial aspects within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). It aims to limit global warming to well below 2°C, ideally 1.5°C, compared to pre-industrial levels.

Countries (and regional economic organisations such as the EU) that have formally ratified the UNFCCC, the Kyoto Protocol, or the Paris Agreement. As of 2026, the UNFCCC has 198 Parties. Only Parties can vote on decisions. Observers may attend but not vote.

Pre-COP is a preparatory meeting held before the Conference of Parties (COP) under the UNFCCC to discuss key political aspects of climate negotiations.

The country hosting and chairing a COP holds the Presidency for that year. The COP President facilitates negotiations, manages procedural matters, and plays a key political role in brokering agreement on contested issues. For COP31, Türkiye is COP31 President, and Australia as the President of Negotiations.

Similar to a wicked problem, a quagmire refers to a complex problem that has no apparent solution and that attempts to solve it will have (un)intended repercussions. Applied to the context of climate change, this expression also describes the multiple socioeconomic factors influencing negotiations, which include the parties' political ambitions, diverse definitions of property, and ranging understandings of the concept of responsibility.

Principle embedded in the Paris Agreement to guarantee that each successive round of NDCs must be more ambitious than the previous one. Countries are not legally required to meet their NDC targets, but they are required to submit new and more ambitious NDCs every five years.

“Reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries,” is an international framework aimed to protect forests as part of the Paris Agreement. It financially rewards developing countries for reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation. REDD+ includes conservation, sustainable forest management, and enhancement of forest carbon stocks.

Renewable energy refers to energy sources that are sustainable and do not deplete natural resources.

Goals based on scientific research to reduce emissions and avoid the worst effects of climate change. In addition, they warn corporate players of their limited timeframe to act.

The permanent administrative body that supports the UNFCCC, the Kyoto Protocol, and the Paris Agreement. Based in Bonn, Germany, the Secretariat organises COP and SB meetings, coordinates information flows, and provides technical and logistical support for negotiations.

Modelled scenarios describing different global socioeconomic development paths, with each linked to a specific development approach. Climate change analysts use SSPs with demographics, urbanisation, GDP, and other factors to make forecasts that inform the public, including decision-makers, about climate change scenarios.

SIDS are a group of 39 States and 18 Associate Members of United Nations regional commissions that face unique social, economic and environmental vulnerabilities. They are located in the Caribbean, the Pacific, and the Atlantic, Indian Ocean and South China Sea. Climate change induced hurricanes and slow onset events such as sea level rise pose an existential threat to small island communities, compounded by limited institutional capacity, scarce financial resources and a high degree of vulnerability to systemic shocks.

Two permanent bodies established under the UNFCCC: Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI). They meet twice a year, once in Bonn, Germany, to prepare for the COP meetings and to advise and assist the COP and, the other time, at COP itself.

Assists the COP in assessing and reviewing the implementation of the UNFCCC and its protocols, including examining national communications and emissions inventories.

Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA)
Provides scientific and technical advice on matters related to the UNFCCC, including research and systematic observation, technologies for mitigating and adapting to climate change, and methodological issues.

17 goals established by the United Nations to improve the planet and people's well-being by 2030. Encompassing 169 specific targets, advertised during 3680 events, and discussed in 1347 publications, the SDGs are at the core of the UN's efforts towards sustainable development in the biosphere.

A critical threshold in the climate system beyond which a system changes, often abruptly and irreversibly. Examples include ice sheet loss, dieback of the Amazon rainforest, and the die-off of warm-water coral reefs.

A finance mechanism launched at COP30 in Belém, Brazil (2025). It aims to raise about USD 125 billion by using public sponsor capital to attract private investment. Returns are paid to tropical forest countries for each hectare of forest they keep standing, and at least 20% goes to Indigenous Peoples and local communities.

The UNFCCC is an international treaty that seeks to address climate change by limiting global temperature increases and addressing its impacts. At the Rio Earth Summit in June 1992, 154 nations signed the UNFCCC. It drives international action in the fight of climate change. As of 2026, the UNFCCC has 198 Parties.

Exacerbated by climate change, it involves global scarcity, contamination, and unequal access to clean water, impacting communities, ecosystems, and economies worldwide. The Water Crisis is the focus of SDG 6. In 2010, the UN declared that access to clean water and sanitation is a human right.

YOUNGO is composed of youth-led organisations and individuals under the age of 35, representing the official youth constituency of the UNFCCC and contributing to multilateral decision-making processes related to climate change.