Status and Development of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Summary of the Paris COP21 and Marrakesh COP22 Summits

Abstract

The climate information provided by meteorological organizations on the situation and evolution of climate in the past few years can not be more alarming. From a scientific point of view, the evidence of climate change is indisputable. The causes are also well known: the action of man, which has altered natural processes. There is only some uncertainty about its potential effects, although we know that the worst is yet to come. The Paris COP21 Summit opened a window in the hope that the objectives and agreements that were reached in it - replacing those of the Kyoto Protocol, in force up to 2020 - signify a turning point in the fight against change climate. A maximum increase of 2 °C with respect to pre-industrial temperatures and a revision of the commitments every five years are the most important achievements of this Summit. However, Paris did not specify the operability of the agreements; for example, sanctions in case of non-compliance were not included, financial tools were not defined and the agreements were not binding. These tasks were left pending for the Marrakech Summit, the second part of the Paris event. Unfortunately, Marrakech has not lived up to expectations. The results of Marrakech can not be more disappointing. Without excusing the postponement of vital decisions, the international environment was not the most conducive for the countries that ratified the Paris Agreement to go ahead and do what was necessary for its implementation.