UNFCCC Reports and National Communications

In 1992, countries adopted the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) as a response to the problem of global warming. Five years later, they adopted the Kyoto Protocol, which strengthens the Convention by setting legally binding emission reduction requirements for 37 industrialized countries.

The ultimate objective of both treaties is to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that will prevent dangerous human interference with the climate system. The staff of the United Nations Climate Change Secretariat works towards this goal, guided by the Convention's 195 and the Protocol's 192 Parties. In 1995, Governments decided to accept the offer of the German Government to locate the secretariat in the German city of Bonn. At the head of the secretariat is the Executive Secretary. This position is currently held by Patricia Espinosa Cantellano.

UNFCCC News