COP (UN Climate Conference)

Conference of the Parties (COP): Yearly World Climate Conference of the members of the Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

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Articles

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COP30 without the US: Climate negotiations in Brazil under pressure

Published: 8 August 2025

Article

Brazil is positioning itself as an important player for multilateralism and international law in global crises and geopolitical upheavals. This raises high hopes for COP30 in November under the Brazilian presidency – but the challenges are also immense.

By Linda Schneider , Liane Schalatek, Marcelo Montenegro and Regine Schönenberg

The UN Framework Climate Convention and its implementation after Kyoto & Paris

Published: 8 August 2025

Article

The danger posed by global climate and environmental crises has been known for decades, but so far it has not been possible to address them effectively and fairly on a global scale. An overview of the most important international climate agreements, how they work, their potential and the challenges they face.

By Linda Schneider and Liane Schalatek

A group of people hold protest signs and a large banner in front of the International Court of Justice in The Hague, banner reads: "COURTS HAVE SPOKEN – GOVERNMENTS MUST ACT NOW"

“The Era of Voluntary Emissions Targets Is Over”

Published: 5 August 2025

Interview

Human rights expert Lotte Leicht explains how the International Court of Justice’s advisory opinion reshapes the climate debate: states are legally bound to prevent climate harm. At COP30, states can no longer treat climate action as optional.

International Court of Justice Decision Turns Climate Justice into Law

Published: 24 July 2025

Analysis

The recent ICJ ruling is a landmark decision for the fight against climate change, addressing state responsibility for ambitious, scientifically supported climate action. It also clears the path for potential climate reparations in the future.

By Liane Schalatek

COP30 in Brazil: Climate Change and the Point of No Return

Published: 17 July 2025

Analysis

Climate governance has been captured by solutions that involve the financialization of nature. The first COP in the Amazon is an opportunity to face the impacts of these projects, betting on the rights and territorial sovereignty of Amazonian populations.

By Camila Moreno

Why the Youth is Angry at COP29’s Results

Published: 12 December 2024

Commentary

For 29 years, youth groups have been calling for immediate solutions to climate change yet wealthy nations are locked in golden towers counting coins as the world warms up!

By Hajar Al-Beltaji and Alab Ayroso

Foto: Eine Gruppe Aktivist*innen sitzt und steht in einer Halle, hält Schilder mit Aufschriften wie „FIGHT BACK“ und „RESIST“ und hebt die Hände.

COP29 Exacerbates Climate Injustice

Published: 29 November 2024

Analysis

COP29 was expected to deliver a global goal for climate finance that meets the challenges of the future. It failed to do so. Instead, it launched international carbon markets that create new loopholes for fossil fuel emitters.

By Linda Schneider

COP29: Is the Loss and Damage Fund Becoming an Empty Promise?

Published: 22 November 2024

Commentary

When the Loss and Damage Fund was created last year, it was hailed as a triumph for climate justice. But it might turn out to be just the opposite, as it not only fails to deliver the support developing countries need to cope with loss and damage, but also provides an excuse not to include such support in new climate-finance goals.

By Liane Schalatek

More articles about COP (UN Climate Conference) (90)

Publications

Southeast Asian Perspectives on the Operationalization of the Loss & Damage Fund

Published: 24 October 2023

Policy Brief

This policy brief is an expanded version of the Submission made by the Manila Observatory to the UNFCCC Transitional Committee after a sector-wide SEA-specific workshop in Bangkok, Thailand August 2023.

By Ma. Laurice Jamero, Jameela Joy Reyes, Hazel Acero, Jayvy Gamboa and Bernardine de Belen

Climate Governance and the Role of Climate Finance in Morocco

Published: 31 October 2016

As a country very vulnerable to climate change impacts, Morocco, the host of COP22, has very high climate ambitions and has taken on a global leadership role in committing to a renewable energy future. This study explores what role climate finance has played to allow Morocco to act as a trendsetter and how its climate finance governance can be further improved.

By Meriem Houzir and Mustapha Mokass

How should we communicate the COP21 outcome and what does it mean for the EU’s 2016 agenda?

Published: 2 December 2015

The level of political commitment in the build up to Paris means a deal is very likely. But, the devil will be in the detail. The final Policy Brief of the "From Warsaw to Paris" series discusses how to communicate the COP21 outcome and what the outcomes of Paris mean for the EU’s 2016 climate and energy agenda.