The First Phase—Negotiating the UN Climate Convention

Abstract

The adoption of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 1992 was the result of a two-year negotiation process. The UNFCCC was globally supported but only contained (not legally-binding) objectives by developed countries to stabilise their greenhouse gas emissions between 1990 and 2000. In terms of process, negotiators managed to accelerate the negotiations in order to be ready by the Earth Summit of June 1992. Important tactics for global support for the Convention were the inclusion of the precautionary principle and the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities.