5 The Framework Convention on Climate Change

Subject(s):

Specialized treaty frameworks — Climate change — Environmental disputes — Treaties, application

This chapter is an overview of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (FCCC). The FCCC established the governance structure and approach to differentiation for the international climate regime. As a framework convention, the FCCC aims to create a flexible system of governance for the climate change problem. It authorizes the Conference of the Parties (COP) to establish new institutions or change the mandate of existing ones. It allows amendments, annexes, and amendments to annexes to be approved by a three-quarters majority vote. In addition, it provides for regular reviews of its specific commitments on sources and sinks, as well as of the annexes, with a view to their possible amendment.