What is the unfccc?

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is an international treaty adopted in 1992 to address the global challenge of climate change.

It brings together countries from around the world to collaborate on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, adapting to climate impacts, and supporting sustainable development.

The UNFCCC is crucial for coordinating global action. It led to landmark agreements like the Kyoto Protocol and Paris Agreement, helping nations set targets and work toward a sustainable future.

What is cop29?

Parties are the 198 countries that signed the UNFCCC. The Conference of Parties (COP) is the annual meeting where these countries discuss progress, set new goals, and negotiate agreements on climate action.

This year’s COP is the 29th, so it goes by COP29. It will take place in Baku, Azerbaijan and focus on climate finance.

What is an ndc?

The Paris Agreement requires each Party to submit a Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to the UNFCCC every five years outlining their commitment and contribution to meeting the goals of the Agreement via domestic greenhouse gas emissions reductions and climate change adaptations.

The 2025 round of NDCs is the last round that can keep the Paris Agreement’s goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C in reach. As the largest producer of oil and gas and the wealthiest country in history, the United States’ ambition will determine the world’s ability to prevent climate catastrophe.

what is a fast, full, fair, funded, and feminist fossil fuel phaseout, and why do we need it?

Fast: on a timeline consistent with the best available climate science and the Paris Agreement.

Full: reducing the extraction + burning of fossil fuels to zero by 2050 at the latest. No dangerous distractions or ‘false solutions’ like Carbon Capture & Storage (CCS) or fossil-based hydrogen.

Fair: economically + socially just to center people over-burdened by fossil pollution and those most affected by the economic disruption of a transition, including fossil fuel-dependent workers and communities. Correct inequities caused by historical pollution and providing + preserving access to safe, affordable, + reliable energy for all.

Funded: Global North countries pay their fair share, redirecting funds that drive climate change: fossil fuels, colonial debts, and the super rich.

Feminist: transition to a regenerative, care-based economy that sustains life and well-being for all. A gender just transition and feminist climate finance.

What is the difference between mitigation, adaptation, and loss & damage?

Adaptation: Countries and communities need to develop adaptation solutions and implement actions to respond to current and future climate change impacts.

Mitigation: Efforts to reduce emissions and enhance sinks (think- forests that absorb carbon dioxide). 

Loss & Damage: Loss and damage refers to the negative effects of climate change that occur despite mitigation and adaptation efforts. While mitigation addresses the causes of climate change (like reducing greenhouse gas emissions) and adaptation addresses its impacts (like building sea walls to prevent flooding), loss and damage is concerned with the unavoidable and irreversible impacts of the climate crisis.

What does the us 2024 election mean for the NDC?

The next NDC is a chance for Biden to cement his legacy as the Climate President. The US government must submit an NDC before Trump takes office, since Trump will pull out of the Paris Agreement and even try to pull out of the UNFCCC.

Biden has the chance to pass an ambitious and Fair Share NDC with no political repercussions.

The stronger and more resistant to potential dismantling, the better.

Trump wants to pull out of the paris agreement. Won’t any ndc biden passes be meaningless?

Even if Trump tries to pull out of Paris on Day One, it will take three years and lots of legal conflict to complete. His hands will be tied for years by a Fair Share NDC if Biden passes one now. But, this is our last chance to pass a plan that meets 1.5 degrees warming, as Trump would not write one.

What is the US’ historical Role in the UNFCCC?