UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in Paris 2015 FAQs

Be a Light unto the United Nations: the Paris Climate Negotiations

From November 30 to December 11, 2015 world leaders from 195 countries will gather in Paris, France for the United Nations Framework on Climate Change Convention (UNFCCC), also called COP21, to discuss an international climate agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and limit global temperature increase to 2° Celsius.

What is the UNFCCC?

Since 1992, 20 climate meetings have occurred under the auspices of the UNFCCC, including the recent negotiations in Lima (2014) and Copenhagen (2009). UNFCCC provides a forum for countries to cooperatively consider how they can further limit climate change and mitigate its impacts. Many advancements in the international fight against climate change have come out of the UNFCCC, including the Kyoto Protocol (1997), which committed countries reduce greenhouse gas emissions with the goal of cutting worldwide emissions by 5% from 1990 levels by 2012.  At the G20 Summit in 2014, UN General Secretary Ban Ki-Moon announced the creation of the Green Climate Fund, which will be a key part of the negotiations in Paris.

What is the Green Climate Fund?

The Green Climate Fund is an international fund aimed at assisting poor and developing countries most vulnerable to the effects of climate change adapt to the changing climate, and to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. The fund was established during the COP15 meeting in Copenhagen (2009), with a goal of reaching $100 billion in public and private financing to adapt to and mitigate climate change annually by 2020 through public and private sector contribution.

How does Green Climate Fund fit into the Paris negotiations?

Heading into the Paris negotiations, 38 countries have pledged a total of $10.2 billion to the fund. The countries include all G7 countries, many G20 countries and many others, including some developing countries. Additionally, with pledges from both private and public sector the fund is over half way to its 2020 goal with a total of $61.8 billion in pledges. Climate finance is a crucial part of the potential deal in Paris, as it will provide the means to achieve the goals that will be set.

What is COP 21?

COP 21 is the official name of the Paris climate change summit because it is the 21st Conference of the Parties under the UNFCCC. UNFCCC is composed of all United Nations member states, Niue, Cook Islands, and the European Union. The Conference of Parties (COP) is the annual meeting of the 196 members to discuss developments in the Convention.

What is the goal of an international climate negotiation?

COP 21 will be the first conference in over 20 years of climate negotiations that aims to establish an international legally binding agreement on climate change. The goal of this agreement will be to keep global temperature increase below 2° Celsius.

Why is this important?

2014 was the hottest year on record and 2015 is looking like it will beat that record. As global temperature increases, our climate is changing, extreme weather such as hurricanes, droughts and flooding are becoming more severe and frequent, forest fires are more prominent, growing disease spread is causing increased poverty, and habitats and species are being lost. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) issued a report in 2013 saying, “It is extremely likely [a measure of 97-100%] that human influence has been the dominant cause of the observed warming since the mid-20th century.”

How is the United States involved?

As one of the first countries to contribute to the Global Climate Fund, with a pledge of $3 billion over five years, the U.S. is positioned to be a global leader on fighting climate change. President Obama has allocated $500 million in the FY 2016 budget. Now Congress must ensure that this funding is allocated in full this year so the United States can fulfill its pledge of $3 billion.

Why is this a Jewish issue?

As a Jewish community we are inspired by the example of Adam who was commanded to till and to tend the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:15) and told "see to it that you do not spoil and destroy My world; for if you do, there will be no one else to repair it." (Midrash Kohelet Rabbah).

According to Rabbi Arthur Waskow, the rabbis taught that this “‘conservation of oil’ was a Divine miracle. We might translate this to mean that it is a sacred act, carrying out God’s will and following God’s lead, for US to conserve oil, trees, water, air – all the strands of the earth.” As we celebrate Hanukkah, the festival of lights, and we think about our use of energy while this major summit is happening, we have a unique opportunity as Reform Jews to reflect on our environmental advocacy and engage more deeply in curbing climate change.

How can I get involved?

Take action by signing our Faithful Call to Address Climate Change, and join interfaith groups across the country in urging the U.S. government to be a leader during the climate negotiations in Paris and work to create a legally binding international agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and provide support to poor and vulnerable communities worldwide.

Learn about how to engage in environmental justice and conservation during your Hanukkah celebration with videos from the RAC - Coming Soon!

Check back daily from November 30 to December 11 to find updates on the climate negotiations.

Where can I learn more?