OECD and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP15)

In 1994, 192 countries ratified an international treaty -- the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), commonly known as "the Convention" -- to begin to consider what can be done to reduce global warming (mitigation) and how to cope with whatever temperature increases are inevitable (adaptation). More recently, a number of nations approved an addition to the treaty: the Kyoto Protocol, which has more ambitious (and legally binding) measures.

OECD actively participates in the annual UN conferences on climate change and has done so for many years. 2009 is a crucial year in the international effort to address climate change, culminating in the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen (COP15), where an ambitious new international response to climate change is due to be agreed. 

2009 UNFCCC conferences:

• December 7-18 Copenhagen COP-15 -- OECD will host at least one side event, chaired by the Secretary-General Angel Gurria.
• November Barcelona Climate Change Talks -- OECD hosted two side events and an exhibit stand.
• June Bonn Climate Change Talks -- OECD held two side events.
• March-April "Bonn Climate Change Talks" -- OECD held two side events.

OECD participation in previous UNFCCC conferences:

2008, "COP14" held in Poznan, Poland

2007, "COP13" held in Bali, Indonesia.

2006, "COP12" held in Nairobi, Kenya.

For further information:

• OECD Policy Brief: Cost Effective Actions to Tackle Climate Change
• OECD web portal on climate change
• "OECD's Recent Work on Climate Change" (booklet).
• United Nations Climate Change Secretariat (UNFCCC); Kyoto Protocol.
• Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
  

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