What is COP?

The Conference of the Parties (COP) is an annual climate conference hosted by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), an international environmental treaty adopted by countries all around the world in 1994 to address the issue of climate change. 198 Parties have ratified the agreement (197 countries plus the European Union), representing almost universal global involvement. The objectives of the UNFCCC are to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere “at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic (human induced) interference with the climate system”. COP serves as a yearly meeting of the Parties to the UNFCCC to discuss progress and action toward achieving these goals.

Why is COP important?

COP provides an important mechanism for ratcheting up ambition, accountability, and action – while increasing coordination between Parties and wider stakeholders. The climate challenge requires multinational, multisectoral cooperation, and international fora can accelerate action — elevating the voices of those most vulnerable to climate change’s impacts on an international stage, creating opportunities to foster cooperation between countries who might otherwise be at odds, and providing a forum through which to ask and work through difficult questions.

Where is COP held?

COP is hosted by a different country each year and typically rotates through different geographic regions. The first meeting (COP1) took place in Berlin, Germany. COP28, in 2023, was held in Dubai, UAE. 

In 2026, the 31st session of the Conference of the Parties (COP30) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) will be held in Antalya, Türkiye.

When did COP start?

The first COP was held in Berlin in 1995.It was a milestone that set the stage for future protocols and agreements for nations to curb greenhouse gas emissions.

Who takes part in COP?

COP brings together tens of thousands of diplomats, ministers, and negotiators from nearly 200 countries. The conferences are also attended by representatives from civil society, business and finance leaders, academic experts, international organizations, activists, and the media.

What has been achieved at previous COPs?

Several landmark commitments, treaties, and funding mechanisms have emerged from these annual meetings.

At COP3 in Kyoto, Japan, the Kyoto Protocol was adopted with a commitment to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases in industrialized countries. The Kyoto Protocol was ultimately replaced by the Bali Roadmap in 2007 (which included all countries rather than just industrialized nations) but laid an important foundation for later agreements.

In 2015, at COP21, the Paris Agreement was unanimously adopted, aiming to keep the rise in the global average temperature to 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, and ideally to 1.5 degrees Celsius. It also included provisions to strengthen the ability to adapt to climate change and build resilience and align all finance flows with “a pathway towards low greenhouse gas emissions and climate-resilient development.” As part of the Paris Agreement, countries agreed to set emissions reductions targets and communicate these targets to the UNFCCC in the form of nationally determined contributions (NDCs).

At COP24 in Katowice, Poland, Parties agreed the Katowice Climate Package, which sets out procedures and mechanisms to make the Paris Agreement operational. This includes implementation guidance for NDCs, for reporting on adaptation and climate impacts, and how to conduct the Global Stocktake to assess overall progress towards the Paris Agreement aims.

At COP26 in Glasglow, UK, the Glasgow Climate Pact for the first time called on all nations to phase down unabated coal power and inefficient subsidies for fossil fuels. It also saw the launch of the Global Methane Pledge, where over 115 countries committed to reducing methane emissions by 30% by 2030. Methane is a harmful climate pollutant that must be mitigated alongside carbon dioxide to prevent near term warming and avoid passing potentially irreversible climate tipping points.

At COP28 in Dubai, UAE, the final negotiated text recognized the need to transition the global energy system by advancing a wide range of clean energy solutions and rapidly cutting methane emissions — while acknowledging the need for regionally tailored approaches that contend with economic and geopolitical realities. Outside of the negotiating room, COP28 broke new ground with major commitments around methane mitigation, nuclear energy deployment, oil and gas decarbonization, fusion energy, and more.