Legal database
486 results found
The Advisory Opinions on Climate Change (03/10/2025)
The advisory opinions on States’ obligations with respect to climate change delivered by the ITLOS, IACtHR and the ICJ consider many important legal elements that are relevant to the UNFCCC negotiations. Ahead of COP 30, LRI prepared two explainers combined in the draft document below, to brief negotiators on the important findings of three major […]
Summary of the 62nd Meetings of the Subsidiary Bodies of the UNFCCC (02/09/2025)
The Subsidiary Bodies of the UNFCCC (SBs) held their 62nd sessions from the 14th to the 25th of June, 2025. The summary of the 62nd meetings of the SBs is available in English and will also soon be available in Spanish and French. Edited by: Mara Wendebourg Contributors: Pascale Bird, Harrison Cox, Louisa Dassow, Yago […]
Carbon markets under the Paris Agreement Article 6 (26/06/2025)
Article 6 of the Paris Agreement provides two types of market-based instruments that Parties to the Paris Agreement can use to achieve their mitigation targets. This explainer describes each of these instruments, as found in Articles 6.2 and 6.4 of the Paris Agreement, and explains the main challenges carbon markets are facing and how these […]
Agenda items and constituted bodies relevant to Just Transition (10/06/2024)
Query: Considering the “elements” of the objectives of the Just Transition Work programme, could you: Advice: The following analysis is intended to provide an overview of the agenda items on the provisional agendas for COP 29, CMA 6, SBI 61 & SBSTA 61, which appear most relevant to the Just Transition Work programme (JTWP). These […]
Query: Advice: Introduction In accordance with Article 4(9) of the Paris Agreement, Parties are due to communicate new and successive nationally determined contributions (NDCs) in 2025. Parties were due to submit new NDCs by 10 February 2025, at least nine months ahead of CMA7.[1] Only 13 of 195 Parties met that deadline, and as of […]
Legal status of paragraph 7, NCQG Decision (12/06/2025)
This advice is provided in response to Query 04/25 Query: Paragraph 8 of Decision 1/CMA.6 defines a goal. Paragraph 7 of the same Decision does not mention what the ‘at least USD 1.3 trillion per year by 2035’ figure and target is. What does paragraph 7 define? Could you research how other financial figures/targets/goals have […]
Options for legal remedies and procedural responses to non-compliance with the Paris Agreement (02/06/2025)
This advice is provided in response to Query 10/17 Query: What procedural remedies are available to Parties who assert that another party does not act in line with its commitments under the Paris Agreement? Advice: Introduction Under the Paris Agreement, Parties have the procedural obligations to communicate and maintain Nationally Determined Contributions under art 4.2; […]
Just Transition Explainer (update) (16/06/2025)
This explainer defines the concept of “just transition” and explains how it has evolved throughout the UNFCCC process. Moreover, the explainer describes how “just transition” has been integrated in the different workstreams of the UNFCCC and explains the aims of the Just Transition Work Programme (JTWP) that was established at COP 27 and its most […]
NCQG: The Decision and the Road to Belém (16/06/2025)
This explainer looks back at the NCQG decision, the context of its adoption and the significance of the goals set. It also discusses the criticism raised concerning the substance and adoption process of the NCQG decision and looks towards the following steps that will lead Parties to Belém.
The Paris Agreement Implementation and Compliance Committee (PAICC) (16/06/2025)
This explainer provides background on the establishment of the Paris Agreement Implementation and Compliance Committee (PAICC) and its rules of procedures. The explainer lists the different functions and features of the Committee and how it may initiate engagement for non-compliance. It also considers the recent developments in which the Committee initiated a consideration of issues.
New Quantified Collective Goal Decision and Loss and Damage – Alternative legal opinion (12/06/2025)
This advice is provided by third parties in response to Query 107 & 108/24 Queries: Can paragraph 5 of the Decision adopted at CMA 6 on the NCQG (the “Decision”)[1]be interpreted as meaning that “loss and damage” contributions in Nationally Determined Contributions (“NDCs”) will be supported? For example, Vanuatu has costed their Loss and Damage […]
UNFCCC Website and Document Guide (11/06/2025)
The UNFCCC website serves as a primary resource for accessing information related to UN climate negotiations, including decisions, agendas, and other relevant documents. However, navigating the site can be challenging. It is therefore advisable to become familiar with its structure and functions prior to engaging in UNFCCC-related work. This brief will first provide guidance on […]
Guidance from the COP to the GCF (15/05/2025)
This memorandum addresses three queries regarding the Green Climate Fund’s (GCF) obligations to consider guidance from the Conference of the Parties (COP), the nature of the relationship between COP and GCF, and the mechanisms available to ensure that all relevant guidance is brought to the GCF’s attention and considered by it. Query: Summary: In our […]
Summary of COP 29 outcomes (19/02/2025)
COP 29 was held in Baku from 11 – 23 November, 2024. Our latest summary, co-produced with the LACLIMA team, focuses on key outcomes under the COP and CMA, shedding light on crucial decisions. The COP 29 outcomes document is available in English, Spanish, French and (soon) Portuguese.
UNFCCC Terminology Guide: the essentials (04/11/2024)
This brief document compiles and defines key terms commonly employed in climate negotiations. It serves as a condensed version of a comprehensive guide to climate negotiations terminology, published by IIED and LRI. Both this summary and the full guide are intended as resources to enhance understanding and effective use of language within the context of […]
Research memo on approaches to climate law with examples (03/04/2025)
Summary This research examines two broad approaches to climate change legislation: sectoral legislation and framework legislation. Some benefits of sectoral legislation are that it may be quicker to implement and may be more targeted. Framework legislation may be beneficial for broader implementation across government, to facilitate progress and accountability towards long-term objectives, aid consensus building, […]
UNFCCC Terminology Guide (04/11/2024)
Explore key terms and expressions used in climate negotiations and their outcomes. This guide serves as a valuable resource for government and non-government participants involved in United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) negotiations, including Least Developed Countries (LDC) Group negotiators. It offers an in-depth look at the specialised terminology used in climate negotiations, […]
Carbon Trading Schemes Around the World (03/02/2025)
1.1 GHGs and Gases 1.1.1 CH₄: Methane, a potent GHG with a high global warming potential. 1.1.2 CO₂: Carbon dioxide, a major GHG from burning fossil fuels. 1.1.3 GHGs: Greenhouse gases, which trap heat in the Earth’s atmosphere. 1.1.4 HFCs: Hydrofluorocarbons, synthetic compounds used in refrigeration and air conditioning. 1.1.5 N₂O: Nitrous oxide, another GHG […]
Background: In the context of the negotiations on the 2024 WIM review and joint report of the WIM ExCom and the Advisory Board of the Santiago Network on Loss and Damage (SNLD), the question has arisen as to whether a single decision could address these two agenda items. In the past, outcomes on the WIM […]
Investment layer in draft NCQG decision (22/11/2024)
The initial version of this advice (Advice to Q103-24) was produced in reaction to the NCQG draft text posted on the 21st of November 2024 at 03:00 (DT.DD.CMA6.i11a.1). The following day an updated draft text was published (22/11/2024 15:20, DT.DD.CMA6.i11a.2) and as a result, we updated our advice to the query (Advice to Q106-24). Context […]