COP: United Nations in the fight against climate change

Javier Trespalacios
6 days ago
5 min read

Updated: 4 days ago

The United Nations holds the Conference of the Parties (COP) annually, the main international forum where countries review progress, analyze solutions, and address challenges in the fight against climate change. The first COP took place in 1995 and, since then, it has become the axis of global climate action.

Young people demonstrating in Bern, Switzerland, calling for climate action

What is the COP and why is it important

The Conference of the Parties (COP) is the main body of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), a treaty adopted in 1992 during the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. Each year, it brings together the parties — currently 198 countries — to assess progress, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and agree on measures for mitigation, adaptation, and climate financing. The first meeting, COP1, was held in Berlin in 1995. Beyond environmental issues, COPs address cross-cutting themes such as gender equality, indigenous peoples' rights, sustainable agriculture, and ocean protection (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, 2025).

Alongside the climate COP, there are other conferences of the parties promoted by the United Nations on environmental topics:

Biodiversity COP (CBD): Since 1994, it has sought to conserve biodiversity and the sustainable use of its components.
Desertification COP (UNCCD): Since 1997, it has combated land degradation and promoted sustainable management in arid zones.

These meetings bring together global representatives with the aim of promoting international agreements to protect nature and foster sustainable development (UNEP, 2025; UNCCD, 2025).

History of the COPs

The COPs have marked key milestones in climate governance: in 1997, COP3 in Kyoto (Japan) established the Kyoto Protocol, the first binding agreement to reduce emissions. In 2009, COP15 in Copenhagen reflected tensions between developed and developing countries; in 2015, COP21 in Paris created the Paris Agreement, committing to limit global warming to less than 2°C.

How COPs are Chosen and Organized

The venues for each COP are chosen by the UNFCCC Secretariat after evaluating national proposals, considering logistical capacity, political relevance, and the opportunity to highlight regional challenges. For example, COP30 in 2025 will be held in Belém, Brazil, emphasizing the role of the Amazon in global climate balance.

The development of a COP involves three key phases. Before the event, countries hold preparatory and technical meetings to define the agenda and possible agreements. During the conference, delegates negotiate decisions in plenary sessions and parallel forums, which include civil society, businesses, and indigenous communities. After the COP, commitments are implemented, their compliance is monitored, and subsequent meetings are prepared, ensuring the continuity of the international climate process (UNFCCC, 2023; Iberdrola, 2025).

Heads of state, ministers, diplomats, international organizations, and representatives of civil society attend the COPs to negotiate climate commitments, raise awareness about the crisis, and advocate for effective action. This diversity of actors ensures the political, technical, and social representation essential for global cooperation on climate change (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change [UNFCCC], 2025).

Positive and Negative Aspects of the COP

The COPs have promoted international cooperation against climate change. Their main achievements include the Paris Agreement (COP21), which set global emission reduction targets, promoted climate justice and the inclusion of themes such as gender and indigenous peoples, and increased public awareness and political ambition (Fundación Alternativas, 2016; The Conversation, 2025).

However, COPs receive criticism for slow progress and a lack of sanctioning mechanisms for non-compliance. The influence of economic and political interests can limit the ambition of agreements, and effective representation of vulnerable communities remains a challenge. Despite this, the COP is the main space for global dialogue and negotiation (ECODES, 2025; Amnesty International, 2025).

"After 25 years of political theater, I no longer believe in these global consultations that give nothing apart from nice photos." Gunter Pauli (participant since COP1, father of the Blue Economy)

Conclusion

The COPs represent the main avenue for international cooperation to face major environmental challenges. Whether in climate, biodiversity, or desertification, these conferences are key to negotiating, measuring progress, and adjusting global strategies. It is essential to increase the ambition and speed of their results to achieve a just and effective environmental transition.

Annex

The Conferences of the Parties (COP) on climate change have so far held 30 official editions worldwide: 13 in Europe, 6 in the Americas, 6 in Asia, and 5 in Africa, reflecting the importance and universality of the climate challenge. Several cities have hosted the conference more than once, notably Bonn (Germany), which hosted three COPs (COP5, COP6bis, COP23), Buenos Aires (Argentina, COP4 and COP10), and Marrakech (Morocco, COP7 and COP22).

COP	Year	City, Country, Continent	Main Highlight
COP 1	1995	Berlin, Germany, Europe	Start of emission reduction negotiations
COP 2	1996	Geneva, Switzerland, Europe	IPCC scientific validation
COP 3	1997	Kyoto, Japan, Asia	Kyoto Protocol approved
COP 4	1998	Buenos Aires, Argentina, America	Plan to implement the Kyoto Protocol
COP 5	1999	Bonn, Germany, Europe	Technical progress on Kyoto mechanisms
COP 6	2000	The Hague, Netherlands, Europe	Deadlock on carbon sinks
COP 7	2001	Marrakech, Morocco, Africa	Rules to apply the Kyoto Protocol
COP 8	2002	New Delhi, India, Asia	Boost to sustainable development
COP 9	2003	Milan, Italy, Europe	Launch of the Adaptation Fund
COP 10	2004	Buenos Aires, Argentina, America	More resources for adaptation
COP 11	2005	Montreal, Canada, America	Kyoto Protocol enters into force
COP 12	2006	Nairobi, Kenya, Africa	Strengthening adaptation for vulnerable countries
COP 13	2007	Bali, Indonesia, Asia	Roadmap toward a global agreement
COP 14	2008	Poznań, Poland, Europe	Adaptation Fund becomes operational
COP 15	2009	Copenhagen, Denmark, Europe	Political agreement without binding commitments
COP 16	2010	Cancún, Mexico, America	Green Fund and 2°C target adopted
COP 17	2011	Durban, South Africa, Africa	Negotiation of a global agreement for 2015
COP 18	2012	Doha, Qatar, Asia	Extension of the Kyoto Protocol
COP 19	2013	Warsaw, Poland, Europe	Loss and Damage mechanism; forest protection (REDD+)
COP 20	2014	Lima, Peru, America	Basis for the Paris Agreement
COP 21	2015	Paris, France, Europe	Paris Agreement signed
COP 22	2016	Marrakech, Morocco, Africa	Paris Agreement implementation begins
COP 23	2017	Bonn, Germany, Europe	Inclusive dialogue and transparency framework
COP 24	2018	Katowice, Poland, Europe	Detailed rules to apply Paris (“Katowice rulebook”)
COP 25	2019	Madrid, Spain, Europe	Carbon markets and oceans on the agenda
COP 26	2021	Glasgow, United Kingdom, Europe	1.5°C target reinforced; countries pressured for stronger action
COP 27	2022	Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, Africa	Creation of a specific fund for climate damages
COP 28	2023	Dubai, UAE, Asia	Debate on phasing out fossil fuels
COP 29	2024	Baku, Azerbaijan, Asia	New fund for developing countries
COP 30	2025	Belém, Brazil, America	Focus on the Amazon and climate justice