Events

1.  COP28 makes progress on fossil fuels

   ( 30 November - 12 December 2023 )

   Event: 30 November - 12 December 2023 ( Read more )

   The COP28 climate change conference, held in Dubai, approves a roadmap for a transition away from fossil fuels. Negotiators at COP28 also agree on commitments to triple renewables capacity and double the rate of energy efficiency improvements by 2030. In addition, they make progress in relation to climate change adaptation measures and finance.

   Further information:

   • Press release - reaction from MEPs in United Arab Emirates
   • UNFCCC press release on the conclusion of the COP28
   • UN article on the outcome of COP28

2.  COP27 takes place in Sharm el-Sheikh

   ( 6-20 November 2022 )

   Event: 6-20 November 2022 ( Read more )

   Countries agreed to create a loss and damage fund to help vulnerable countries hit by climate disasters. However, despite slow progress on phasing out fossil fuels and moving towards the Paris Agreement’s 1.5 degree Celsius limit, no new measures were agreed.

   Further information:

   • Press release: reaction from MEPs in Egypt
   • UNFCCC press release on the conclusion of the COP27
   • UN article on the outcome of COP27

3.  COP26 takes place in Glasgow

   ( 1-13 November 2021 )

   Event: 1-13 November 2021 ( Read more )

   During the COP26, countries agreed to the goal of climate neutrality; increased funding for vulnerable developing countries; and less money for new fossil fuel projects. They did not reach a common response to phasing out the use of coal.

   Further information:

   • Press release: reaction from MEPs in Glasgow
   • UN statement on the outcome of the COP
   • Concluding statement by COP's President

4.  European Climate Law enters into force

   ( 29 July 2021 )

   Event: 29 July 2021 ( Read more )

   The EU's first climate law makes reaching climate neutrality by 2050 law. It also aims to achieve negative emissions after 2050 and sets an intermediary climate target of a reduction of net greenhouse gas emissions of at least 55% by 2030.

   Further information:

   Council adopts the European Climate Law

5.  US rejoins the Paris Agreement

   ( 19 February 2021 )

   Event: 19 February 2021 ( Read more )

   Shortly after Joe Biden is sworn in as US President, the US becomes again a party to the Paris Agreement.

   Further information:

   Press Statement

6.  European Climate Law: Parliament adopts its position

   ( 7 October 2020 )

   Event: 7 October 2020 ( Read more )

   The European Parliament approves its negotiating position on the Climate Law proposing that the EU and all member states reach climate neutrality by 2050. It also sets a more ambitious 2030 emissions reduction target of 60%.

   Further information:

   Press release: the European climate law

7.  EU to become climate neutral by 2050

   ( 12 December 2019 )

   Event: 12 December 2019 ( Read more )

   EU leaders agree to make the EU climate neutral by 2050 during a European Council meeting in Brussels.

   Further information:

   • Going climate neutral by 2050
   • The European Council endorses the objective of making the EU climate neutral by 2050

8.  The Green Deal

   ( 11 December 2019 )

   Event: 11 December 2019 ( Read more )

   The European Commission presents the Green Deal. Using the European Climate Law, it aims to make Europe climate neutral by 2050.

   Further information:

   • The European Green deal
   • The European Climate Law

9.  COP25 takes place in Madrid

   ( 2-13 December 2019 )

   Event: 2-13 December 2019 ( Read more )

   COP25 concludes with an agreement on increased carbon cutting, but disappoints as decisions on a global carbon trading system, clarity on concrete emission cuts and a system to channel new funding to the most vulnerable countries are postponed to the next COP in Glasgow.

   Further information:

   Closing statement of COP25

10.  European Parliament declares climate emergency

    ( 28 November 2019 )

    Event: 28 November 2019 ( Read more )

    The European Parliament declares a climate emergency in Europe and globally. They want the Commission to ensure that all relevant legislative and budgetary proposals are fully aligned with the objective of limiting global warming to less than 1.5°C.

    Further information:

    Press release: the European Parliament declares climate emergency

11.  COP24 takes place in Katowice

    ( 3-14 December 2018 )

    Event: 3-14 December 2018 ( Read more )

    COP24 in Poland ends with mixed results. Countries agree on a deal putting the Paris Agreement into practice – but leave core issues about a global carbon trading system and how to respond to warnings of a temperature rise beyond 1.5°C unresolved.

    Further information:

    Countries agree concrete way to bring Paris climate deal to life

12.  UN IPCC releases its 1.5° special report

    ( October 2018 )

    Event: October 2018 ( Read more )

    The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) releases a report investigating the impact of a 1.5°C rise in temperature (above pre-industrial levels). It concludes that emissions will have to be reduced more than scientists originally estimated.

    Further information:

    IPCC Report: Global Warming of 1.5°C

13.  COP23 takes place in Bonn

    ( 6-17 November 2017 )

    Event: 6-17 November 2017 ( Read more )

    COP23 makes significant progress toward clear and comprehensive implementation guidelines for the Paris Agreement, which will make the agreement operational.

    Further information:

    Key Achievements from COP23

14.  President Donald Trump announces his intent to withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement

    ( June 2017 )

    Event: June 2017 ( Read more )
    Further information:

    • Statement by President Trump on the Paris Climate Accord
    • Paris agreement: There will only be a future if we act (interview)

15.  COP22 takes place in Marrakesh

    ( 7-18 November 2016 )

    Event: 7-18 November 2016 ( Read more )

    Parties pledge to move forward on the full implementation of the Paris Agreement and welcome the “extraordinary momentum on climate change worldwide”.

    Further information:

    • Marrakech action proclamation for our climate and sustainable development
    • Countries at UN conference pledge to press ahead with implementation of Paris Agreement

16.  Paris Agreement enters into force

    ( 4 November 2016 )

17.  In a historic vote Parliament gives its consent to the EU’s ratification of the Paris Agreement

    ( 4 October 2016 )

    Event: 4 October 2016 ( Read more )

    Thanks to the Parliament's consent, the Paris Agreement can enter into force in November 2016, having met the necessary conditions much earlier than predicted.

    Further information:

    MEPs’ green light for Paris climate agreement to trigger its entry into force

18.  Paris Agreement is adopted

    ( December 2015 )

    Event: December 2015 ( Read more )

    The Paris Agreement on fighting climate change is the first-ever universal, legally binding global climate deal. The objective of the agreement is to maintain the increase in global temperatures well below two degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, whilst making efforts to limit the increase to 1.5 degrees. The agreement aims to ensure global greenhouse gas emissions peak as soon as possible, and to balance emissions and removals of greenhouse gases in the second half of this century. Furthermore, the agreement addresses the adaptation to climate change, financial and other support for developing countries, technology transfer and capacity building, as well as losses and damage.

    Further information:

    The Paris Agreement

19.  The IPCC’s fifth assessment report is released

    ( 2014 )

    Event: 2014 ( Read more )

    The report provides an overview of the state of knowledge concerning the science of climate change, emphasizing new results since the publication of the previous AR4 report. The report refers to the “clear and growing” human influence on the climate, warning that if left unchecked, climate change will increase the likelihood of severe, pervasive and irreversible impact on people and ecosystems.

    Further information:

    Climate Change 2014: Fifth Synthesis Report

20.  COP20 takes place in Lima

    ( December 2014 )

    Event: December 2014 ( Read more )

    COP20 requires all countries to describe their intended contributions for the 2015 agreement clearly, transparently and understandably.

    Further information:

    Lima Climate Change Conference - December 2014

21.  COP19 in Warsaw

    ( November 2013 )

    Event: November 2013 ( Read more )

    Parties agree a timeplan for countries to table their intended contributions for the new global climate agreement and for ways to accelerate efforts before 2020. They set up a mechanism to address losses and damage caused by climate change in vulnerable developing countries. The also enhance the implementation of measures already agreed (for instance on climate finance) and transparency of reporting on emissions.

    Further information:

    Warsaw Outcomes

22.  COP18 takes place in Doha

    ( 2012 )

    Event: 2012 ( Read more )

    Governments agree to speedily work toward a universal climate change agreement by 2015 and to find ways to scale up efforts before 2020 beyond existing pledges to curb emissions. They also adopt the Doha Amendment to the Koyoto Protocol, adding new emission reduction targets for participating countries for 2012-2020.

    Further information:

    • Status of the Doha Amendment
    • Doha Amendment to the Kyoto Protocol

23.  COP17 takes place in Durban

    ( 2011 )

    Event: 2011 ( Read more )

    In Durban, governments clearly commit to a new universal climate change agreement by 2015 for the period beyond 2020, where all will play their part to the best of their ability and all will be able to reap the benefits together.

    Further information:

    Durban: Towards full implementation of the UN Climate Change Convention

24.  The Cancun Agreements are adopted

    ( 2010 )

    Event: 2010 ( Read more )

    The Cancun Agreements is a comprehensive package adopted by governments to assist developing nations in dealing with climate change. The Green Climate Fund is established.

    Further information:

    The Cancun agreements

25.  The IPCC’s fourth assessment report is released

    ( 2007 )

    Event: 2007 ( Read more )

    The report represents the largest and most detailed summary of the climate change situation ever undertaken, created with the help of a large number of contributors, both scientists and governmental representatives. The headline findings of the report were: "warming of the climate system is unequivocal" and "most of the observed increase in global average temperatures since the mid-20th century is very likely due to the observed increase in anthropogenic greenhouse gas concentrations."

    Further information:

    Climate Change 2007: Fourth Synthesis Report

26.  The Kyoto Protocol enters into force

    ( February 2005 )

27.  The EU's Emissions Trading System is launched

    ( January 2005 )

    Event: January 2005 ( Read more )

    The European Union Emissions Trading System, the world's first and largest emissions trading scheme, is launched as a major pillar of EU climate policy.

    Further information:

    The EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) and its reform in brief

28.  The Marrakesh Accords

    ( November 2001 )

    Event: November 2001 ( Read more )

    The Marrakesh Accords are adopted at COP7, detailing the rules for the implementation of the Kyoto Protocol, setting up new funding and planning instruments for adaptation, and establishing a technology transfer framework to support developing countries in addressing climate change

    Further information:

    Seventh session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 7), October 2001

29.  President George W. Bush removes the US from the Kyoto process

    ( 11 June 2001 )

    Event: 11 June 2001 ( Read more )

    President George W. Bush removes the US from the Kyoto process, arguing that it puts more of the burden for reducing emissions on industrialised nations instead of developing ones

    Further information:

    President Bush Discusses Global Climate Change

30.  The Kyoto Protocol is adopted

    ( 1997 )

    Event: 1997 ( Read more )

    The Kyoto Protocol is the world's first greenhouse gas emissions reduction treaty. The Protocol legally binds developed countries to emission reduction targets - an average of 5% by the period 2008-2012 with wide variations on targets for individual countries.

    Further information:

    Making those first steps count: An Introduction to the Kyoto Protocol

31.  COP1 takes place in Berlin

    ( 1995 )

    Event: 1995 ( Read more )

    Parties agree that commitments in the Convention are "inadequate" for meeting Convention objectives. They establish a process for negotiating stronger commitments for developed countries, thus laying the groundwork for the Kyoto Protocol.

32.  The UNFCCC enters into force

    ( 1994 )

33.  Earth Summit in Rio

    ( 1992 )

    Event: 1992 ( Read more )

    Governments are invited to sign the Convention on Climate Change at the Earth Summit in Rio.

    Further information:

    UN Conference on Environment and Development

34.  Convention on Climate Change is adopted

    ( May 1992 )

    Event: May 1992 ( Read more )

    The text of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is adopted at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. This is the key international treaty to reduce global warming and help cope with the consequences of climate change. For the first time binding gas emissions reduction targets are set for industrialised countries.

35.  First meeting of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee takes place

    ( 1991 )

36.  The IPCC produces its first assessment report

    ( 1990 )

    Event: 1990 ( Read more )

    In its first assessment report the IPCC concludes that humanity's emissions are adding to the atmosphere's natural component of greenhosue gases. It underlines the importance of climate change as a challenge requiring international cooperation to tackle its consequences. The report therefore plays a decisive role in paving the way for the creation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

    Further information:

    Climate Change: The IPCC Scientific Assessment

37.  The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is set up

    ( 1988 )

    Event: 1988 ( Read more )

    The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is a scientific and intergovernmental body under the auspices of the United Nations, providing the world with a clear scientific view on the current state of knowledge regarding climate change and its potential environmental and socio-economic impacts.

    Further information:

    Intergovernmental panel on Climate Change

38.  The Montreal Protocol is adopted

    ( 1987 )

    Event: 1987 ( Read more )

    The protocol restricts the use of chemicals that can damage the ozone layer

    Further information:

    The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer

39.  World Climate Conference takes place in Geneva 1979

    ( 1979 )

    Event: 1979 ( Read more )

    This is one of the first major international meetings on climate change. Essentially a scientific conference, it is attended by scientists from a wide range of disciplines. It leads to the establishment of the World Climate Programme.

    Further information:

    Proceedings of the World Climate Conference

40.  United Nations Conference on the Human Environment takes place

    ( 1972 )

    Event: 1972 ( Read more )

    This is the UN's first major conference on international environmental issues and marks a turning point in the development of international environmental politics.

    Further information:

    United Nations Conference on the Human Environment (Stockholm Conference)