fbpx ...

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Explained

The UNFCCC, a widely supported international environmental treaty, entered into force on 21 March 1994 developed to address the problem of climate change.

Today, the UNFCCC has near-universal membership, including all UN member nations. The 197 countries that have ratified the Convention are called Parties to the Convention. Preventing “dangerous” human interference with the climate system  (i.e. ‘Stabilise greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere’) is the ultimate aim of the UNFCCC.

The UNFCCC has a noteworthy history of climate change negotiations. The treaty is not legally binding but provides opportunities for updates (protocols) that can be used to set legally binding emissions limits. 

The UNFCCC has achieved the 1997 Kyoto Protocol and the 2015 Paris Agreement, first ever binding agreements on emissions and climate change.

The Clean Development Mechanism / CDM

The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), defined in Article 12 of the Kyoto Protocol, allows a country with an emission-reduction or emission-limitation commitment under the Kyoto Protocol (Annex B Party) to implement an emission-reduction project in developing countries. Such projects can earn saleable certified emission reduction (CER) credits, each equivalent to one tonne of CO2, which can be counted towards meeting Kyoto targets.

The mechanism is seen by many as a trailblazer. It is the first global, environmental investment and credit scheme of its kind, providing a standardised emission offset instrument, Certified Emissions Reductions. ‘CER’s.

A CDM project activity might involve, for example, a rural electrification project using solar panels or the installation of more energy-efficient boilers.

The mechanism stimulates sustainable development and emission reductions, while giving industrialized countries some flexibility in how they meet their emission reduction or limitation targets.

A CDM project must provide emission reductions that are additional to what would otherwise have occurred. The projects must qualify through a rigorous and public registration and issuance process.

The CDM principals of projects ‘Additionality’ is integrated in Paying.Green’s Carbon Credit Acquisition Policy.

Source: Publicly shareable on Youtube

Read more about the Carbon Offset Projects that Paying.Green™ buys UN Climate Credits from.

Share this article on your social networks

Related Posts

Greenhouse Gas Emissions by Country: Understanding the Global Impact

Greenhouse gas emissions by country: Understanding the global impact. In this article, we will take a closer look at the top greenhouse gas emitting countries, sources of emissions, and efforts being made by countries to reduce emissions through increasing the use of renewable energy and improving energy efficiency.

Read More
GHG Reporting: Understanding and Mitigating Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Greenhouse gas (GHG) reporting is the process of measuring, reporting, and ultimately reducing an organization’s emissions. In this article, we will explore the basics of GHG reporting including its importance in understanding and reducing emissions, the process of GHG reporting, the standards and protocols available, and the challenges that organisations may face

Read More
5 key takeouts from the new IPCC Climate Report

The most recent 3.675 pages IPCC report has been hailed as the most searing indictment of the planet’s climate predicament. Here are 5 key takeouts.

Read More
Overwhelming majority of Australians look to Brands to make a climate difference

The research, released today at Nine’s State of the Nation Sustainability virtual event, showed that despite everyday Australians making changes to live more sustainably, the majority feel that as a country, we are not doing enough, and brands need to lead the way.

Read More
67% of retail investors now prefer ESG investments

According to new research from behavioural finance experts, Oxford Risk, two out of three retail investors are considering transferring their investments into ESG propositions.

Read More
Massive and rapid swing. 75% of Australian businesses leaders believe world is at climate change tipping point: Deloitte Report

Australian business leaders are becoming a lot more concerned about climate change. This shift is according to a new report and it shows a significant shift in opinion in just 8 months.

Read More
Climate Impact Measurement and Disclosure Growing Quickly Among Businesses

Many of the world’s biggest organisations have begun to share information concerning their carbon footprint in a new move that embraces transparency as organisations are increasingly seeing value in measuring their impact.

Read More
Explosive research for Australian businesses: people are turning down high paying jobs for 1 surprising reason

employed by a company that did not do its part to address climate change.

Read More
Australia Ranks Last Out Of 60 Nations For Climate Crisis Response Policy

Australia’s government policy response to the climate crisis was ranked last in an assessment of 60 nations released at the current global climate summit in Glasgow

Read More