Legal database
474 results found
Summary of COP 29 outcomes (19/02/2025)
COP 29 was held in Baku from 11 – 23 November, 2024. Our latest summary, co-produced with the wonderful LACLIMA team, focuses on key outcomes under the COP and CMA, shedding light on crucial decisions. Huge thanks to our amazing volunteers for their invaluable contributions.
UNFCCC Terminology Guide: the essentials (04/11/2024)
This brief document compiles and defines key terms commonly employed in climate negotiations. It serves as a condensed version of a comprehensive guide to climate negotiations terminology, published by IIED and LRI. Both this summary and the full guide are intended as resources to enhance understanding and effective use of language within the context of […]
Research memo on approaches to climate law with examples (03/04/2025)
Summary This research examines two broad approaches to climate change legislation: sectoral legislation and framework legislation. Some benefits of sectoral legislation are that it may be quicker to implement and may be more targeted. Framework legislation may be beneficial for broader implementation across government, to facilitate progress and accountability towards long-term objectives, aid consensus building, […]
UNFCCC Terminology Guide (04/11/2024)
Explore key terms and expressions used in climate negotiations and their outcomes. This guide serves as a valuable resource for government and non-government participants involved in United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) negotiations, including Least Developed Countries (LDC) Group negotiators. It offers an in-depth look at the specialised terminology used in climate negotiations, […]
Carbon Trading Schemes Around the World (03/02/2025)
1.1 GHGs and Gases 1.1.1 CH₄: Methane, a potent GHG with a high global warming potential. 1.1.2 CO₂: Carbon dioxide, a major GHG from burning fossil fuels. 1.1.3 GHGs: Greenhouse gases, which trap heat in the Earth’s atmosphere. 1.1.4 HFCs: Hydrofluorocarbons, synthetic compounds used in refrigeration and air conditioning. 1.1.5 N₂O: Nitrous oxide, another GHG […]
Background: In the context of the negotiations on the 2024 WIM review and joint report of the WIM ExCom and the Advisory Board of the Santiago Network on Loss and Damage (SNLD), the question has arisen as to whether a single decision could address these two agenda items. In the past, outcomes on the WIM […]
Investment layer in draft NCQG decision (22/11/2024)
The initial version of this advice (Advice to Q103-24) was produced in reaction to the NCQG draft text posted on the 21st of November 2024 at 03:00 (DT.DD.CMA6.i11a.1). The following day an updated draft text was published (22/11/2024 15:20, DT.DD.CMA6.i11a.2) and as a result, we updated our advice to the query (Advice to Q106-24). Context […]
“Features” for Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement (11/11/2024)
Query: We would like to explore how this item could lead to strengthening the global climate regime, especially as part of efforts starting in COP 30 to respond to any shortfalls in the aggregate impact of the NDCs submitted during the current round following from the first GST, towards meeting the objectives of the Paris […]
Guidance to the operating entities of the Financial Mechanism (09/11/2024)
Query: 1. Is it legal to discuss and agree on guidance to the operating entities of the Financial Mechanism under any COP agenda item, in particular in technology agenda items such as the linkage between the technology mechanism and financial mechanism, or must such guidance come from the GEF and GCF agenda items only? 2. […]
Mandate to bodies outside the UNFCCC (15/11/2024)
Query: Can the CMA legally mandate institutions, bodies or agencies outside the UNFCCC to report on adaptation action and progress related to relevant thematic targets under the UAE Framework for Global Climate Resilience? Summary: Summary of response
Implications of including (or not) the COP gender agenda item in the CMA agenda (18/11/2024)
Query: What would be the risks and legal implications if the COP gender agenda item is (or is not) included in the CMA agenda? This advice is structured as follows:
Meaning of Observers and Non-admitted Entities in UNFCCC regime (17/01/2025)
Query: Is it correct to say that the word “observer” in the UNFCCC context also refers to non-admitted entities? Is there a defined category of what “non-admitted entities” are? Summary: Based on the use of the term “observer” in UNFCCC contexts, a specific meaning exists that is distinct from the colloquial, general interpretation of “observer”. […]
New Quantified Collective Goal Decision and Loss and Damage (18/02/2025)
Query: Can paragraph 5 of the Decision adopted at CMA 6 on the NCQG (the “Decision”)[1] be interpreted as meaning that “loss and damage” contributions in Nationally Determined Contributions (“NDCs”) will be supported? For example, Vanuatu has costed their Loss and Damage contributions in their NDC.[2](“Query 1”); and The FRLD is an operating entity of […]
Global Basic Observation Network at the UNFCCC (04/12/2023)
Context: The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has set up the “Global Basic Observation Network” (GBON) by Resolution 34 cg-18. This is a mandate to Members ‘to acquire and internationally exchange the most essential surface-based observational data at a minimum level of spatial resolution and time interval.’ The network is an essential observation tool that aims […]
Process around adoption of NCQG decision (09/01/2025)
Query: The New Collective Quantified Goal on Finance (NCQG) decision text was adopted at the closing plenary of the CMA on Saturday and Sunday 23/24 November with little chance for Parties and Groups to speak (the gavel fell very quickly). Immediately after the gavelling went through, a few countries took the floor to express their […]
Negative and positive impacts of response measures (10/12/2024)
Query: Are both the negative and the positive impacts of response measures envisaged under the UNFCCC and Paris Agreement? Advice: There is ample evidence that both the negative and the positive impacts of response measures are envisaged under the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement. While discussions have often focused on the negative, or adverse, impacts, […]
Unilateral trade measures in the context of measures to address climate change (12/11/2024)
This research introduces the concept of unilateral trade measures and their rationale, and presents their potential benefits and drawbacks. Introduction The World Bank estimates that a quarter of the global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions come from international trade. As countries race to increase the ambition of the Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement, policymakers […]
Just transition explainer (07/11/2024)
This explainer dives into the evolving concept of a “just transition”. It alerts the reader to some of the different meanings that have been given to it and explains how Parties in the UNFCCC process have approached this concept over time. It also dives into the intricacies of the Just Transition Work Programme and how […]
New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance (05/11/2024)
Updated for COP 29, our explainer on the New Collective Quantified Goal on climate finance (NCQG) provides an overview of NCQG discussions and the core elements: the quantum and quality of finance, the structure and nature of the NCQG (including sources and allocation), the contributor base, the timeframe for the NCQG, and accountability and transparency […]
Updated Explainer on Loss and Damage (05/11/2024)
Our updated Loss and Damage explainer sheds light on the efforts made by the Parties to the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement to address the issue of loss and damage associated with the adverse effects of climate change. It offers an overview of the key issues related to loss and damage that are being negotiated […]