WHO provides expertise to the UNFCCC on adaptation measures for human health, and reports on health-related aspects of climate change to the Convention Subsidiary Body of Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA).

About the Climate Change Convention

Adopted in 1992 at the Rio Earth Summit and ratified by 189 countries (Parties to the Convention), the Climate Change Convention seeks to stabilize atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases at safe levels by committing all countries to limit their emissions, gather relevant information, develop strategies for adapting to climate change, and cooperate on research and technology. It also requires developed countries to take measures aimed at returning their emissions to 1990 levels.

About the Kyoto Protocol

The Kyoto Protocol (1997) became a legally binding commitment after the last ratification by the Russian Federation in late 2004 and entered into force on 16 February 2005.

The Protocol requires developed countries to reduce their collective emissions of six greenhouse gases in the period 2008-2012 by at least 5% compared to 1990 levels. The European Union, for example, is to cut its combined emissions by 8%. For many countries, achieving the Kyoto targets is a major challenge that requiring new policies and approaches. The Protocol also establishes an emissions trading regime and a "clean development mechanism".