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Climate change… These show some of the global negotiating and diplomatic efforts that humanity has taken to respond to the climate emergency. But it has not always been like this. It took a lot of time, effort and perseverance from the global community, climate scientists and development experts to get this message out. You may be wondering how a problem of this magnitude has taken so long to get the attention it deserves? In this Module we will look at the international climate emergency process under the leadership of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. The Convention represents proof of the global community’s recognition of human-caused climate change. It was established at the Rio Earth Summit in 1992 and entered into force in 1994, with the ultimate objective to ‘prevent “dangerous” human interference with the climate system through the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions’. As of today, 197 countries (i.e., Parties) have ratified the Convention. They meet annually to put in place measures to reduce and stabilize greenhouse gas emissions, as well as to adapt to the adverse impacts of climate change induced by emissions from the past. Over the past 30 years a lot has been achieved but it has not been an easy road. Tasked with the goal of decarbonizing the global economy, the process has faced many challenges – including the financial support needed to spur this transition, and to allow the world’s most vulnerable countries, such as Small Island Developing States and Least Developed Countries, to adapt. Many instruments have been put in place to achieve the Convention’s goals, and these are driving the transition through diplomacy and international negotiations. But what are the mechanics behind the UNFCCC and how has the international climate change regime been structured to respond to the climate emergency that humanity is facing? Let’s try to shed some light on all of these in the following module.