Navigating COP: A Deep Dive into the UN Climate Conference Process

The UN Conference of the Parties, better known as COP, was established under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). It serves as a pivotal platform for international climate negotiations, bringing together nations to address the pressing challenges posed by climate change. COP meetings, which take place annually, serve as a critical venue for countries to collaborate on strategies and agreements aimed at mitigating global warming and fostering sustainable development.

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Every year, nations that are part of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) gather for the Conference of the Parties, better known as COP. The summit serves to evaluate their progress, negotiate collective strategies to combat climate change and foster international cooperation on climate issues. 198 Parties are currently part of the Convention – 197 states and the EU

The UNFCCC is a multilateral treaty established in 1992, following the release of the first assessment report, by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in 1990. This report provided a comprehensive evaluation of the scientific understanding of climate change at that time. IPCC reports are regarded as the most authoritative source of information on climate change science. 

Its primary goal is to stabilize atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations – the single-largest driver of climate change – at a level that prevents harmful, human-induced interference with the climate system.

Since entering into force in 1994, the UNFCCC and its annual gatherings have built the foundation for international climate negotiations, resulting in significant agreements such as the 1997 Kyoto Protocol and the 2015 Paris Agreement.

The hosting of COP meetings rotates among the five UN regional groups: Africa, Asia-Pacific, Eastern Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Western Europe and Others. According to the UN, members of these groups decide which country will host each conference.

The inaugural COP was held in Berlin, Germany, in 1995. This year’s summit, COP29, is set to take place in Baku, Azerbaijan, between November 11 and November 22.

You might also like: Explainer: What Is the UNFCCC?

Not Just Climate COPs

The term COP can also denote governance meetings of other treaty bodies. In addition to the UNFCCC COP29, two other significant environmental COPs were planned for 2024:

• The UN Convention on Biological Diversity, also known as COP16, which centers on nature and biodiversity, took place in October in Cali, Colombia.
• The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), set to take place in December in Saudi Arabia.

COP meetings have marked significant milestones in the climate movement by setting standards and promoting initiatives aimed at reducing carbon emissions, expediting the shift to renewable energy, and helping countries adapt to and enhance their resilience against climate-related challenges. These conferences play a crucial role in bringing governments together and uniting the private sector, industries, and individuals to address the climate crisis in all its aspects.

Structure of the COP 

COP meetings are vital for advancing global climate action under the UNFCCC. These meetings typically begin with plenary sessions, wherein representatives from nearly every country gather to discuss key issues, attend speeches and introduce major agenda items for negotiations.

To facilitate more focused discussions, the agenda is split across various negotiations groups that tackle specific topics such as mitigation, adaptation, finance and technology transfer. This structure allows for detailed dialogue and the development of proposals to be presented in plenary. 

Alongside such proceedings, dozens of side events are held organized by governments, NGOs and other stakeholders. These provide opportunities for networking, collaboration and showcasing innovative climate solutions. 

Many COP meetings include exhibitions and pavilions where countries and organizations showcase their climate initiatives and new technologies. At the end of each COP, the outcomes are compiled into a final document called the “COP Decision.” The document outlines the agreements reached and commitments made, serving as a reference for countries as they implement their climate pledges and highlighting the importance of accountability in the negotiation process.

Milestones 

Kyoto Protocol

The Kyoto Protocol is an international treaty adopted in 1997 under the UNFCCC, committing its parties to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in recognition of the reality of global warming and the role of human-made carbon dioxide emissions. It established legally binding targets for developed countries, aiming for an overall reduction of 5.2% below 1990 levels during the first commitment period from 2008 to 2012.

To support compliance, the Protocol introduced flexibility mechanisms such as emissions trading, the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), and Joint Implementation (JI), enabling countries to meet their targets in a cost-effective manner. It also acknowledged the principle of differentiated responsibilities, emphasizing that developed countries have a greater obligation to reduce emissions due to their historical contributions to climate change. Additionally, the Protocol mandated that parties monitor and report their emissions, ensuring both transparency and accountability.

While the Kyoto Protocol represented a significant advancement in international climate policy and set the stage for future agreements like the Paris Agreement, it encountered challenges, including the withdrawal of key emitting countries and the need for broader involvement from developing nations.

Paris Agreement

The Paris Agreement is a legally binding international treaty on climate change. It was adopted by 196 Parties at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP21) in Paris, France, on December 12, 2015 and entered into force in November 2016.

The agreement united nations in a shared commitment to limit global warming to “well below 2C” above pre-industrial levels, with an aspirational goal of limiting the temperature increase to 1.5C. It emphasizes the need for nations to enhance their capacity to adapt to climate change and build resilience. Additionally, the Paris Agreement underscores the importance of aligning financial flows with low greenhouse gas emissions and climate-resilient development, ensuring that funding supports sustainability and mitigates climate risks.

Central to the agreement is the obligation for all parties to submit Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), detailing their specific plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve climate resilience. The agreement follows a five-year cycle, prompting countries to regularly review and enhance their commitments over time.

Check out our book review ‘Landing the Paris Agreement’ By Todd Stern.

What Happened at COP28?

At the last UN climate summit held in Dubai, countries reached an unprecedented agreement, the first in the history of COPs to explicitly call for “transitioning away” from fossil fuels. The deal addresses a range of critical issues, including climate finance, adaptation, food security, and gender. 

On the first day of COP28, countries reached an agreement to operationalize the Loss and Damage Fund, which was initially established at COP27. The fund is designed to provide financial support specifically to vulnerable nations in the Global South for the losses and damage they incur because of climate change.  This initiative aims to address the urgent needs of these countries, helping them to recover and adapt to the ongoing effects of climate change.

COP28 marked a historic milestone with the first Global Stocktake (GST), a thorough evaluation of nations’ progress toward their climate goals. Recognized as a key outcome of the summit, the GST encompassed all negotiated elements and provided a foundation for countries to enhance their climate action plans, which they are required to update and make available by 2025.

The stocktake underscored the scientific consensus that global greenhouse gas emissions need to be reduced by 43% by 2030 compared to 2019 levels to limit global warming to 1.5C as set in the Paris accord. It revealed that countries were not on track to meet the targets and called for urgent collective action on a global scale to triple renewable energy capacity and double improvements in energy efficiency by 2030.

More on the topic: Did COP28 Succeed or Fail?

Future of COP

Despite the significance of COPs, the conferences face several notable challenges that will impact their future. The effectiveness of negotiations is often hindered by differences in political will between developed and developing countries. Even when agreements are successfully made, the challenges of ensuring compliance and effective implementation persist. Additionally, securing adequate financial support for developing nations to adapt to climate change and transition sustainable practices remains a challenge. 

The next two years are crucial. 

At COP29, governments must establish a new climate finance goal that reflects the scale and urgency of the climate crisis. Central to the discussions will be the emphasis on fostering international cooperation. The Baku summit will prioritize financial strategies to mobilize the trillions of dollars necessary for climate change mitigation and adaptation, providing nations with an opportunity to reassess their financial commitments and set new targets. 

By COP30, governments need to present updated nationally determined contributions (NDCs) that are comprehensive, encompass all greenhouse gases, and align with the 1.5C temperature limit.

Follow our COP29 coverage.