The Conference of the Parties (COP) is a yearly meeting where almost 200 countries come together to discuss and act on climate change. As per the Leaders Asia sources, it’s part of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
Here’s a simple look at its journey so far:
Starting the Journey (1995)
The UNFCCC was created in 1992 at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro to address climate change globally. The first COP meeting happened in 1995 in Berlin, where countries decided to meet annually to reduce emissions and foster international cooperation.
Kyoto Protocol: The First Major Step (1997)
At COP3 in Kyoto, Japan, nations agreed to the Kyoto Protocol, which required developed countries to cut greenhouse gas emissions. However, its implementation faced hurdles, especially when the United States withdrew in 2001.
Paris Agreement: A Global Turning Point (2015)
COP21 in Paris marked a historic achievement as nations agreed to limit global warming to well below 2°C, aiming for 1.5°C. Unlike the Kyoto Protocol, this agreement applied to both developed and developing countries, with each setting its own goals.
Building Momentum After Paris
According to the sources, since 2015, COP meetings have focused on turning promises into action. COP26 in Glasgow (2021) and COP27 in Sharm El Sheikh (2022) assessed global progress, encouraged stronger commitments, and addressed funding for climate adaptation and damage recovery.
The Path to 1.5°C
COP28 in Dubai, COP29 in Baku, and COP30 in Brazil (2025) are part of a three-year plan to accelerate climate action and funding. These efforts aim to bridge the gap between current actions and the goals of the Paris Agreement.
Continuing the Fight Against Climate Change
COP remains the world’s key platform for countries to collaborate on climate policies, track progress, and tackle the growing challenges of climate change.
