Scope of the Collection:
The main subjects covered are climate change and the FCCC
negotiating process. The related subjects covered are sustainable development, development, economics,
energy, environment, international cooperation, law, trade, organizations, policies, science &
technology.
Sources of Information:
The main sources of incoming documentation are from
UNFCCC, the UN system, governments, intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations and
the academic community.
Size of the collection:
The physical collections include more than 7,000 equivalent
volumes of books, video tapes, audio cassettes, periodicals, newsletters, official documents, articles
and gray literature. With the exception of material in the archival collection, all material is housed in
open stacks under the broad subject headings of: climate, development, economics, energy, environment,
FCCC, land, marine, management, ozone, sciences and technologies and water. A virtual collection of
online newsletters, full-text articles, websites and other electronic data complements and enriches the
physical collection.
Languages of the collection:
All official UNFCCC documents are available in the 6 UN languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French,
Russian and Spanish. Books, journals and other materials not produced by the UNFCCC secretariat are
purchased mainly in the English language.
Archival collection
The archival collection houses the official UNFCCC documentation in the 6 UN languages.
Official UNFCCC documents include:
- Ad Hoc Working Group on Further Commitments for Annex I Parties under the Kyoto Protocol (AWG)
- Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (COP/MOP)
- Conference of the Parties (COP) documents
- Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) documents
- Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI) documents
- Ad Hoc Group on the Berlin Mandate (AGBM) documents
- Ad Hoc Group on Article 13 (AG13) document
- Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) documents
A large amount of the official documentation is
available on the UNFCCC website, although not in all official languages. In addition, this collection
includes the sound recordings of the official sessions of INC, COP, SBSTA and SBI, press releases,
statements made during the Conferences of the Parties and materials presented in side-events at COP,
SBI and SBSTA meetings.
For researchers and scholars of the climate change process, the UNFCCC Library & Documentation Centre
houses a rich collection of materials pertaining to the creation of the Convention and of its
negotiations including:
- pre-negotiating documents culminating in the Second World Climate Conference held in Geneva,
November 1990 and the UN General Assembly Resolution of December 1990 establishing the
Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee for a Framework Convention on Climate Change (INC/FCCC)
- the Convention negotiations documents between February 1991 to 9 May 1992 leading up to the
adoption of the Convention, New York 9 May 1992
- documentation of the preparations between December 1992 to February 1995 leading up to COP 1 held
in Berlin, March-April 1995 and culminating in the Agreement on Berlin Mandate and the launch of the Ad
hoc Group on the Berlin Mandate (AGBM)
- the protocol negotiations documents between August 1995 to October 1997 culminating in the Adoption
of the Kyoto Protocol, 11 December 1997.
Anyone wishing to access the archival collection is requested to contact the library in advance. In this
way, we can ensure that we have the information you require and that someone is available to assist you
during your visit.
Databases
Our library database (Adlib library software) contains more than 7,000 references to
official documents, books, reports, audiocassettes, video tapes, articles and periodicals. Three
web-based search screens have been developed:
In addition to the automated library system, the library has access to over 60 databases covering
statistical, environmental, economic, UN and periodical information.
Public Information Materials
The Communications unit of Information Services (IS) provides copies of publications free-of-charge to
the general public. For large numbers of requests, shipping costs must be incurred by the requesting
individuals. To request publications, please send an email to secretariat@unfccc.int
