UNFCCC
November 6, 2006
As the effects of climate change become more evident, the UN climate change body is playing an increasingly important role on the world stage. DW-Radio talks to officials and experts at the UNFCCC about climate change in the context of the United Nations Climate Change Conference - Nairobi, 2006.
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is an international environmental treaty which entered into force in 1994 and has near-universal membership. It aims to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases in order to combat global warming and helps countries to adapt to the effects of climate change.
The Kyoto Protocol is a sub-treaty to the UNFCCC that has more powerful (and legally binding) measures to reduce global warming. The agreement came into force in 2005 and now covers more than 160 countries globally.
The UNFCCC Secretariat has the task of gathering and sharing information on greenhouse gas emissions, monitoring the implementation of the countries' commitments under the convention, and organizing sessions such as the UN Climate Change Conference, among other measures.
Find out more about the ins and outs of the international negotiations around climate change.