United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

The Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee for a Framework Convention on Climate Change – a subsidiary body of the United Nations – adopted the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) on May 9, 1992. It came into force on March 21, 1994. It aimed at encouraging countries to limit greenhouse gas emissions below levels which would prevent “dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system.” The UNFCCC is one of the three conventions discussed at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (also known as the Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit) in June 1992. It is closely linked with the other two Rio Conventions : the Convention on Biological Diversity and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification. The UNFCCC was originally signed by 158 countries. The Convention currently has 165 signatories and 198 Parties have ratified it. (Signatories are qualified to ratify, accept or approve a treaty. Ratification is an 'international act' whereby a State indicates its consent to be bound to a treaty.) India signed the UNFCCC on June 10, 1992, and ratified it on Nov 1, 1993...