A study of LDC capacity at the UNFCCC
Date : 01 June 2016

The Least Developed Countries (LDCs) represent 48 of the 197 parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Not only are they the world’s poorest economies, they are extremely vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Since 2001, they have acted together as the LDC Group in UNFCCC negotiations. But as well as providing assistance, this has aggregated individual country experiences, opinions and interests, creating challenges, particularly when trying to remedy individual countries’ struggles to participate, monitor and implement decisions back home. This paper aims to address this disconnect by analysing LDC feedback on how they prepare, analyse, report and disseminate information on the UNFCCC negotiations.

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The Paris Agreement and the LDCs
Date : 01 March 2016

At the end of 2015, the 196 parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) gathered in Paris for the 21st session of the Conference of the Parties (COP21). On 12 December, they adopted the Paris Agreement, contained in Decision 1/CP.21. Marking the successful end to negotiations that started at COP17 in Durban four years earlier, the agreement is an important milestone for the poorest members of the international community. This paper provides an analysis of the Paris Agreement and the relevant sections of Decision 1/CP.21 that give effect to the agreement, based on the positions of the 48 Least Developed Countries. The French version of this paper is available here.

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Climate Negotiations Terminology: The Pocket Guide
Date : 01 November 2015

Language is a powerful thing. In multilateral agreements, the choice of words is always strategic and purposeful. Particularly in the context of the climate change negotiations, the great amount of acronyms, buzzwords and legal terms can be complex, overwhelming and misleading too. This pocket book aims to be a supporting tool for a better understanding and application of the language in the UNFCCC negotiations. The French version of this book is available here.

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Evaluation Report: Climate Change Negotiation Skills – Training For LDC Negotiators
Date : 31 July 2015

Evaluation report of the first training in July 2015 in Bangkok, Thailand, held to strengthen the ‘emerging’ negotiators’ understanding of the mechanics of the negotiating process within the UNFCCC, and to help them effectively support their delegation on the main issues. The training focused on specific negotiation skills and ways in which these skills can best be used to further the national objectives as well as those of the wider LDC negotiating group in the context of climate change negotiations.

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Options for the legal form of the Paris outcome
Date : 01 July 2015

There are various legal options for the form of the final outcome from the COP21 to be held in Paris that comes under the three broad options listed in the Durban Decision. While any outcome in Paris can be potentially called ‘Paris Agreement’, it must be noted that in international law, an agreement may or may not refer to a legally binding arrangement; the legally binding nature will depend upon its terms for commitments, compliance and enforcement. This paper discusses various legal form options for the Paris Agreement, in light of the UNFCCC regime and the international law.

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