The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change: What Does It Mean?

WHY AN INTERNATIONAL TREATY?

Temperatures start to rise. Large parts of the planet become drier and deserts spread. Others receive more rain and floods come. The oceans warm up and expand, washing over islands and coastlines. Fierce storms occur where they never did before. Crops fail and vulnerable communities abandon their homes to migrate elsewhere. As the climate changes faster than ever before in human history, a crowded and troubled world struggles to cope.

Will this grim climate change scenario become reality? While the climate has always varied naturally, scientists now believe that industrial and agricultural emissions of carbon dioxide and other gases may cause a permanent, one-way change in climate. Atmospheric concentrations of these gases, which help to create a natural "greenhouse effect" that keeps the planet warm enough for human life, have risen dramatically over the past 100 years. This could lead to higher temperatures and new climate patterns in the coming decades and centuries.

Many questions remain, and researchers are working hard to answer them. But while scientific certainty is still some years away, the world's Governments have decided that the risks are simply too big to ignore.

WHAT DOES THE TREATY SAY?

Over 150 States signed the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in June 1992 at the Rio "Earth Summit". In doing so they recognised climate change as "a common concern of humankind". Their goal was to forge a global strategy "to protect the climate system for present and future generations". Governments that become Parties to the Convention will seek to achieve its ultimate objective of stabilising "greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic [human-made] interference with the climate system."

The Convention provides a "framework" within which governments can work together to carry out new policies and programmes that will have broad implications for the way people live and work. It is a detailed, carefully negotiated text that acknowledges the special concerns of different groups of countries.

The Convention emphasises that developed countries are mainly responsible for historic and current emissions and must take the lead in combating climate change; that the first priority of developing countries must be their own economic and social development, and their share of total global emissions will rise as they industrialise; that states which are economically dependent on coal and oil will face special difficulties if energy demand changes; and that countries with fragile ecosystems, such as small island states and arid countries, are particularly vulnerable to the expected impacts of climate change.

By becoming Parties to the Convention, both developed and developing countries accept a number of commitments. These include:

* Submitting for review information about the quantities of greenhouse gases that they emit, by source, and about their national "sinks" (processes and activities that remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere, notably forests and oceans).

* Carrying out national programmes for mitigating climate change and adapting to its effects.

* Strengthening scientific and technical research and systematic observation related to the climate system, and promoting the development and diffusion of relevant technologies.

* Promoting education programmes and public awareness about climate change and its likely effects.

Developed countries accept a number of additional commitments specific only to them. Some of the most important are:

* Adopting policies designed to limit their greenhouse gas emissions and to protect and enhance their greenhouse gas "sinks" and "reservoirs". They will seek to return to their 1990 emissions levels by the end of this decade and will submit detailed information on their progress. The Conference of the Parties will review the overall implementation and adequacy of this commitment at least twice during the 1990s.

* Transferring to developing countries financial and technological resources above and beyond what is already available through existing development assistance, and supporting efforts by these countries to fulfil their commitments under the Convention.

* Helping developing countries that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change to meet the costs of adaptation.

WHAT CAN WE DO TO HELP?

Climate change is a problem of immense proportions. Solving it will require the involvement of people everywhere, in accordance with their "respective capabilities".

The International Community can ensure that the Convention's objectives are pursued energetically, and it can strengthen the Convention if necessary.

Nations can adopt policies for promoting energy efficiency and "clean" technologies, reduce emissions from the agricultural sector, develop programmes that protect their citizens and their economies from possible climate change impacts, support research into the climate system, assist other countries in need, and promote public awareness of the issue.

Cities, towns, and provinces can implement the Convention at the local level by improving the energy efficiency of their transport systems, public buildings, and other public infrastructure; rehabilitating forests and other vegetation; reducing emissions from waste dumps and cement-making; and monitoring their own emissions levels.

Industrial companies can develop energy-efficient technologies and products as well as improved methods for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from other sectors, including cement-making, farming, and waste disposal.

Farmers can adopt new techniques for limiting emissions from fertilisers, livestock, and rice farming.

Schools and universities can promote more research into climate change and feature the issue in their curricula for both children and adults.

Individuals can adapt their lifestyles and the way they use products, transport, and energy, both at home and at work. They can also learn more about climate change, inform others, and promote community-level programmes.

What is the Greenhouse Effect?

A number of gases that occur naturally in the atmosphere in small quantities are known as "greenhouse gases". Water vapour, carbon dioxide, ozone, methane, and nitrous oxide trap energy in much the same way as do the glass panes of a closed automobile or a greenhouse. This natural greenhouse effect has kept the earth's atmosphere some 30°C hotter than it would otherwise be, making it possible for humans to exist on earth.

Human activities, however, are now raising the concentrations of these gases in the atmosphere and thus increasing their ability to trap energy. Carbon dioxide levels have risen from 280 parts per million by volume since before the Industrial Revolution to almost 360 today. Man-made carbon dioxide, which is the most important contributor to the "enhanced" greenhouse effect, comes mainly from the use of coal, oil, and natural gas. It is also released by the destruction of forests and other natural "sinks" and "reservoirs" that absorb carbon dioxide from the air.

Climate change is often called global warming because one of the most probable consequences of larger atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases is higher average temperatures. But other effects could be just as important and may include new patterns of wind, rainfall, and ocean circulation. Scientists continue to examine evidence from past climates as well as from computer models of atmospheric and oceanic circulation in search of more definitive answers.

Who's Who

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change was negotiated by an Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC/FCCC) set up by the United Nations General Assembly. The INC consists of Government representatives and is open to accredited observers. Supported by a Geneva-based secretariat, it will continue to function until the treaty enters into force. It will then be replaced by the Conference of the Parties (COP), which will be the supreme body of the Convention and will oversee its implementation.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) provided scientific and technical assessments to support the negotiations. It continues to play an advisory role during the current interim period. The Global Environment Facility (GEF), established by the UN Development Programme, the UN Environment Programme, and the World Bank, is the interim source of funding for Convention-related activities and projects, mainly in developing countries.

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