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Key Message

IISD undertakes research to explore how the objectives of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change can be implemented in a manner that supports countries' development goals for economic and social prosperity.

Climate Convention (UNFCCC)

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was signed in 1992 and has since been ratified by 184 countries. These countries have agreed to work together to stabilize concentrations of greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere at a level that will prevent dangerous human-induced interference in the global climate system. The UNFCCC and subsequent decisions regarding its interpretation and implementation represent one of the most complex multilateral agreements ever negotiated.

The Kyoto Protocol, signed in 1997, is the primary mechanism through which the global community is to take concrete steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It entered into force in February 2005, and obliges industrialized countries that have ratified the accord to reduce their emissions of six greenhouse gases, the major contributors being carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide.

IISD has been actively involved in monitoring, analyzing and reporting on the evolution of the international climate change negotiations since the early 1990s. Through policy research on the current and future implementation of the UNFCCC and its Protocol, IISD's Climate Change and Energy team brings its perspective and concerns on climate change issues to the attention of decision-makers around the world. As well, IISD provides climate change experts and non-experts alike with reliable sources of information about the Convention and the continuing evolution of the international climate change regime.

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