About international climate change
Australian has a role in a number of international measures that support the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
The Australian Government recognises that international action at multilateral, regional and bilateral levels can contribute significantly to emission reductions and is actively pursuing opportunities in these areas.
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
Australia's international climate change obligations are set out in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
Within the UNFCCC, the department is responsible for matters relating to the development and transfer of low emission technologies from developed to developing countries (see article 4, paragraph 5). Consequently, the department works closely with the Department of Climate Change on international climate change negotiations.
Australia's international strategy also involves practical action-based engagement through technology transfer and capacity building arrangements with key emitting and trading partners.
These project focused arrangements include:
Additionally, Australia is engaged in other multilateral forums which indirectly contribute to the goals of the UNFCCC, such as:
- Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum
- US lead Major Economies Meeting on Energy Security and Climate Change
- G8 Gleneagles Plan of Action on Climate Change, Clean Energy and Sustainable Development.
Australia has endorsed the subsidiary Kyoto Protocol and is committed to meeting its Kyoto Protocol target. The Kyoto Protocol is an international agreement created under the UNFCCC in Kyoto, Japan in 1997.
More information
For more information about international climate change go to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change website.