Linking Non-State Action with the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change

The 2015 Paris Climate Conference (COP 21) catalyzed an unprecedented showing of climate action and commitment by a wide range of non-state actors, including businesses and investors, subnational governments, and civil society organizations. Governments took a number of steps in Paris to engage non-state actors more directly through the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Many stakeholder groups are working to further strengthen the contributions of non-state actors to the global climate effort, and at COP 22 in Marrakech, Morocco, two high-level “champions” will report on implementation of a new Action Agenda. This brief outlines recent steps to strengthen the visibility of non-state action in the UNFCCC and options for more closely linking the two.