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COP25: WWF and the international climate talks

Climate change impacts all parts of the world, and finding solutions to the challenges posed by such an immense threat will require action from every country. Annual international climate talks are key to effectively addressing the problem.

What is COP25?

Back in 1992, the international community adopted the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), marking the start of a global effort to confront the problem of climate change. The framework outlines actions to stabilize and reduce the amount of heat-trapping gases—known as greenhouse gases—released into the atmosphere and causing the planet to warm.

Every year, the parties to the agreement attend a ‘Conference of Parties’ to review and assess progress in reaching climate action goals. COP25 is the shorthand name for the 25th Conference of Parties to the UNFCCC, and will take place from December 2-13 in Madrid, Spain.

A unique global plan

In 2015, 195 countries came together to sign the Paris Agreement, the world's first truly global plan to address the climate crisis. The unprecedented pact is a single, sweeping agreement where each signatory contributes to efforts to keep global warming well below 2°C.

The Paris Agreement

After weeks of negotiations at COP21 in 2015, 196 nations approved a landmark global plan to curb climate change in the years to come.

The Paris Agreement is the world’s first truly global plan to address climate change. This UN climate agreement was adopted at COP21 in 2015, demonstrating the world’s a collective willingness to take urgent action. The unprecedented pact urges nations to pursue every effort to limit global temperature increase to well below 2°C—and aiming for 1.5°C—to stave off some of the worst impacts of climate change. Importantly, it creates the incentive for nations to continuously strengthen their climate actions over time.

Unfortunately, earlier this year the US federal government announced its intent to withdraw from the Paris Agreement.

But we are still in.

Given the US government’s diminished role in fighting climate change, at this round of negotiations, the real news about US climate action will be delivered by leaders of American business, cities, and states, who will attend this next round of international climate talks as part of the We Are Still In movement. We Are Still In has emerged as the largest US coalition in support of climate action ever, with more than 2,500 leaders across America’s state houses, city halls, board rooms, and college campuses stepping up to say they are still committed to meeting America’s climate goals. Their stories about reducing emissions, embracing clean energy, and preparing their local communities for the impacts of climate change will ensure foreign leaders that America is still facing down the very real threat climate change poses to our nation and the world.

With support from WWF and over two dozen other organizations, We Are Still In has been embraced by the United Nations and applauded by everyday Americans eager to show the world that US leadership on climate change extends well beyond the executive branch of the federal government.

Shot of WWF activists walking during the 2017 DC Climate March

We Are Still In

States, cities, businesses, investors, colleges, universities, and others are working together to achieve the clean energy vision of the Paris Agreement. They are still in, and we are, too.

Learn more. h

Expectations for COP25

The 2019 climate talks offer a huge opportunity to push concerted and immediate action to avoid climate catastrophe. COP25 is a big moment for countries to do the following:

  • Ramp up and strengthen their commitments to cutting carbon emissions and demonstrate leadership on climate action.
  • Ensure that the poorest and most valuable communities have the resources to respond to severe and irreversible impacts of the climate crisis that they did not cause.
  • Give young people, local and regional governments, business leaders, faith leaders, and more a chance to both demand action and showcase the innovative climate solutions.

Learn more

Where does the US stand on the Paris Agreement?

What action is already happening to address the climate crisis?

Who is stepping forward in the US and around the world?

What are we expecting from these negotiations in-depth?

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