Resource Library

As Parties discuss the operationalisation of the Just Transition Mechanism, or Belém Action Mechanism, this advice considers the relationship between the JTWP and the Mechanism and how the latter could be operationalised as a constituted body under the CMA.

The Kyoto Protocol was adopted in 1997 and is still in force although its second commitment period that establishes binding reduction targets to developed country Parties expired in 2020 and no third commitment period was negotiated. This advice considers the remaining role of the Kyoto Protocol today.

This advice considers marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR) technologies, which comprises ocean-based techniques that remove CO₂ from the atmosphere and store it for extended periods (e.g. ocean alkalinity enhancement, ocean fertilisation, seaweed cultivation and blue carbon ecosystem restoration) and how Article 6 may allow for mCDR to create tradeable emissions units.

This advice outlines the different outcomes a COP can lead to. In doing so, it considers their legal value. The advice has been updated to take into consideration the advisory opinion on climate change delivered by the International Court of Justice.

Cet avis énumère les différents résultats d'une Conférence des Parties et explique leur valeur juridique. Cet avis a été mis à jour à la suite de l'avis consultatif rendu par la Cour Internationale de Justice.

The advisory opinions on climate change delivered by international courts and tribunals provided clarity on the how to understand COP and CMA decisions in identifying and interpreting rules and standards of international law.

This advice considers the advisory opinions on climate change and how they have dealt with the question of whether the UNFCCC and Paris Agreement are lex specialis. It provides the arguments of the courts and tribunals in concluding that international legal obligations with respect to climate change must be drawn from different sources of international law, and that the most directly relevant applicable law consists of most directly relevant applicable law consists of various treaties, customary duties and principles.

Articles 6.4 and 6.2 of the Paris Agreement provide cooperative approaches and market-based mechanisms with varying human and environmental rights safeguards. This advice highlights these protections, including the importance of transparency, stakeholder participation, and accessible grievance mechanisms.

Legal analysis of the Secretariat’s note on increasing the efficiency of the UNFCCC process, addressing the legal basis and implications of proposed procedural reforms, including the Bureau’s authority, agenda streamlining, CMP conclusion, and the amendment of reporting and review cycles.

This note explains the Paris Agreement Crediting Mechanism under Article 6.4, outlining its governance, methodological standards, and transition from the Clean Development Mechanism, as well as related financing and national implementation approaches, including examples from Ghana and Kenya’s carbon market frameworks.

Legal analysis of the mandate and possible outcomes of the “Baku to Belém Roadmap to 1.3T,” established under Decision 1/CMA.6 on the new collective quantified goal on climate finance, outlining implications for COP 30/CMA 7 deliberations.

The ICJ Advisory Opinion delivered in July 2025 offers clarifications on the legal value of COP and CMA decisions. This advice reviews how the Advisory Opinion understands the "certain legal effects" that decisions can have.