Terminology

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

UNFCCC

An internationally-negotiated statement of principles and undertakings for addressing climate change.

The UNFCCC was signed at the UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 and came into force in 1994 following ratification by the requisite number of countries. It included a non-binding undertaking by Annex I countries to stabilise GHG emissions by the year 2000.

Conference of the Parties (COP)

The governing body for the UNFCCC, comprised of all countries that have signed and ratified the Convention.

The COP meets annually toward the end of each calendar year. It is serviced by a secretariat based in Bonn, and by a number of subsidiary bodies that meet throughout the year.

Annex I/B Countries

Countries listed in Annex I of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) are developed countries expected to take the lead in responding to climate change and Annex I/B countries are all but two of the Annex I countries that are also listed in Annex B of the Kyoto Protocol and have agreed to a target for their greenhouse gas emissions.

Annex I/B countries that have ratified the Kyoto Protocol have made legally-binding commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to the specified target levels.

Non-Annex I/B Countries

Countries not listed in Annex I to the UNFCCC not in Annex B of the Kyoto Protocol, generally developing countries.