The United Nations Climate Change secretariat is committed to forming meaningful partnerships with non-Party stakeholders – from foundations, to cities, to businesses, to civil society organizations. These entities are indispensable in our united efforts to address climate change as they offer key resources such as knowledge, expertise, financing, access and outreach that accelerate progress towards the implementation of the Paris Agreement.

The secretariat engages in mutually beneficial, collaborative partnerships with entities that demonstrate a willingness to exercise social and environmental responsibility towards global peaking of emissions and enhanced resilience. The secretariat welcomes partnerships with non-Party stakeholders that share the values and principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter, the Convention, the Kyoto Protocol, the Paris Agreement, and internationally recognized principles concerning human rights, labor, the environment and anti-corruption, as reflected in the United Nations Global Compact.

All partnerships entered into by the secretariat are subject to the UNFCCC secretariat guidelines for partnership (the “UNFCCC Partnership Guidelines”). Proposals from gender and youth dedicated entities are encouraged, especially proposed projects highlighting the gender perspective and fostering youth engagement.

Entities interested in partnering with the secretariat under a call for proposal should submit their formal proposal by e-mail to partnerships@unfccc.int.

The proposal should:

• Clearly reference the relevant call for proposal;
• Indicate the scope, objectives and duration of the proposed partnership and, if applicable, the financial value of the entity’s contribution;
• Address, to the extent possible and with supporting documentation, the entity’s capacity to enter into and implement the partnership (including proof of juridical personality, proof of sound financial management and proof of technical capacities to carry out the partnership);
• Address, to the extent possible and with supporting documentation, whether and how the entity meets each of the eligibility criteria set out in the annex to the UNFCCC Partnership Guidelines, indicating any relevant present and/or past activity or advocacy regarding these criteria;
• Confirm by a formal statement that the entity does not meet any of the exclusionary criteria set out in the annex to the UNFCCC Partnership Guidelines, indicating any relevant present and/or past activity or advocacy with regard to these criteria;
• Include a statement of the entity’s intention to fully comply with the terms of a partnership agreement to be agreed with the secretariat, as outlined in the UNFCCC Partnership Guidelines;
• Indicate any requirements regarding the use of the UNFCCC name and logo, in accordance with paragraph 39 of the UNFCCC Partnership Guidelines.

The UN Climate Change secretariat engages with partners in voluntary agreements to achieve a common goal or undertake a specific task, in support of achieving the aims of the Paris Agreement. Partner contributions may include any combination of financial, in-kind and knowledge resources.

Once entities interested in partnering with the UN Climate Change secretariat have submitted a partnership proposal, the secretariat begins an internal review process. This process begins with a due diligence assessment, which is outlined in the annex to the UNFCCC Partnership Guidelines, and includes the application of eligibility and the exclusionary criteria. Prospective partners must disclose to the secretariat all relevant information that will allow the secretariat to conduct due diligence.

Once a potential partnership has passed the secretariat’s internal review process, the secretariat will inform the entitiy accordingly, then formalize the partnership through a written agreement in accordance with the UNFCCC Partnership Guidelines. Partnership agreements require that parties carry out their responsibilities and obligations in accordance with their respective regulations, rules, policies and procedures, as well as the decisions of their governing bodies.

The purpose of the secretariat’s partnerships is not to establish commercial relationships, or for commercial or private gain. Partnerships are non-exclusive and are open to multiple partners at any time. As stated in the UNFCCC Partnership Guidelines, cooperation with the secretariat explicitly excludes any role of the partner to influence the secretariat’s governance, decision-making processes or policies. Partnerships should maintain the integrity, independence and impartiality of the secretariat and its partners.