The Paris Climate Conference is officially known as the 21st Conference of the Parties (or “COP”) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the United Nations body which is responsible for climate. This Conference will also serve as the 11thMeeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol.
The COP meets each year to take decisions that further the implementation of the Convention and to combat climate change. COP21 will take place at the same time as CMP11, the 11th meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol, which oversees the implementation of the Kyoto Protocol and the decisions made to increase its effectiveness.
As of October 31, 155 countries had submitted their contributions. These countries cover nearly 90 per cent of global carbon emissions. Some developing countries have submitted two versions of their contributions: one stating what they would do on their own, and one on what they would be able to do with financial help.
In total, 45,000 participants are expected to participate at the COP at the Paris-Le Bourget site at some point during the Conference. This includes delegates representing countries, observers, civil society and journalists. 20,000 people will be officially accredited and will have access to the Conference itself, while people not accredited to the Conference itself will still be able to take part in debates, see exhibitions and attend talks or screenings in the civil society area which will be built very close to the conference center.
Read more about the Climate Change Conference Paris 2015.
