Bodies of the Convention and partner agencies

* The Conference of the Parties (COP) is the prime authority of the Convention. It is an association of all member countries (or "Parties") and usually meets annually for a period of two weeks. These sessions are attended by several thousand government delegates, observer organizations, and journalists. The Conference of the Parties evaluates the status of climate change and the effectiveness of the treaty. It examines the activities of member countries, particularly by reviewing national communications and emissions inventories; it considers new scientific findings; and it tries to capitalize on experience as efforts to address climate change proceed.

* A Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) counsels the Conference of the Parties on matters of climate, the environment, technology, and method. It meets twice a year.

* A Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI) helps review how the Convention is being applied, for example by analyzing the national communications submitted by member countries. It also deals with financial and administrative matters. The SBI meets twice each year.

* Several expert groups exist under the Convention. A Consultative Group of Experts (CGE) on National Communications from "non-Annex 1 Parties" helps developing countries prepare national reports on climate change issues. A Least Developed Country Expert Group (LEG) advises such nations on establishing programmes for adapting to climate change. And an Expert Group on Technology Transfer (EGTT) seeks to spur the sharing of technology with less-advanced nations.

* Partner agencies include the Global Environment Facility (GEF), which has existed since 1991 to fund projects in developing countries that will have global environmental benefits. The job of channeling grants and loans to poor countries to help them address climate change, as called for by the Convention, has been delegated to the GEF because of its established expertise. And the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) provides services to the Convention, although it is not part of it, through publishing comprehensive reviews every five years of the status of climate change and climate-change science, along with special reports and technical papers on request (see the section on the IPCC under "Climate Change Science.")

Actors in the negotiation process

* Countries belonging to the Convention hold the real power -- they take decisions at sessions of the Conference of the Parties (most decisions are reached by consensus). Member countries often form alliances to increase efficiency and maximize influence during negotiations. The Conference has several groupings representing the concerns of developing countries, least-developed countries, small-island states, Europe (through the European Union), non-European industrialized nations, oil-exporting nations, and nations committed to "environmental integrity."

* Countries get extensive input from other sources, both through official channels and in behind-the-scenes chatter. This is not surprising, considering that the global climate is facing a major threat, coastlines and even countries may disappear, and industries and livelihoods may wax or wane. . . not to mention that millions of dollars are being allocated for programmes and activities.

* "Observer" is the official -- and misleadlingly quiet-sounding -- term for groups and agencies allowed to attend and even speak at international meetings, but not to participate in decision-making. Among observers permitted by the Convention are intergovernmental agencies, such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the World Meteorological Organization (WMO); the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD); the International Energy Agency; and the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). To date, over 50 intergovernmental agencies and international organizations attend sessions of the Conference of Parties.

* Observers also include a lively crowd of non-governmental organizations, known as "NGOs." These represent business and industrial interests, environmental groups, local governments, research and academic institutes, religious bodies, labour organizations, and population groups such as indigenous peoples. To win accreditation as observers, NGOs must be legally constituted not-for-profit entities "competent in matters related to the Convention." Currently, more than 600 NGOs are accredited to participate in meetings related to the Convention.

The UNFCCC Secretariat

* A secretariat staffed by international civil servants supports the Convention and its supporting bodies. It makes practical arrangements for meetings, compiles and distributes statistics and information, and assists member countries in meeting their commitments under the Convention. The secretariat is based in Bonn, Germany.