Brief Overview

The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is an intergovernmental treaty developed to

address the problem of climate change. The Convention, which sets out an agreed framework for dealing
with the issue, was negotiated from February 1991 to May 1992 and opened for signature at the June 1992
UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) — also known as the Rio Earth Summit. The
UNFCCC entered into force on 21 March 1994, ninety days after the 50th country’s ratification had been
received. By December 2007, it had been ratified by 192 countries.

Parties to the Convention continue to meet regularly to take stock of progress in implementing their
obligations under the treaty, and to consider further actions to address the climate change threat. They hav
also negotiated a protocol to the Convention. The Kyoto Protocol was first agreed in December 1997 in
Kyoto, Japan, although ongoing discussions were needed between 1998 and 2004 to finalize the “fine print”
of the agreement. The Protocol obliges industrialized countries and countries of the former Soviet bloc
(known collectively as “Annex I Parties”) to cut their emissions of greenhouse gases by an average of abou
5% for the period 2008-2012 compared with 1990 levels. However, under the terms agreed in Kyoto, the
Protocol only enters into force following ratification by 55 Parties to the UNFCCC, and if these 55 countries
included a sufficient number of Annex I Parties that at least 55% of that group’s total carbon dioxide
emissions for 1990 were represented. Although the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases, the United
States, rejected the Kyoto Treaty in 2001 after the election of President George W. Bush, a majority of othe
Annex I Parties, including Canada, Japan, and the countries of the European Union ratified the treaty. In
November 2004, the Russian Federation also ratified the Protocol, thus reaching the 55% threshold. The
Protocol finally entered into force as a legally-binding document on 16 February 2005. By December 2007,
the Protocol had been ratified by 177 countries, including Annex I parties representing 63.7% of Annex I
greenhouse gas emissions in 1990.

With the immediate future of the Kyoto Protocol secured by Russia’s ratification, an increasing focus of
discussions since 2005 has been on the multilateral response to climate change post-2012, when the
Protocol’s first commitment period expires. At the UN Climate Change Conference in Bali in December 2007
delegates agreed on a “roadmap” for 2008 and 2009 designed to bring about an agreement by December
2009.

The UNFCCC

Conference of the Parties: Parties to the UNFCCC continue to adopt decisions, review progress and
consider further action through regular meetings of the Conference of the Parties (COP). The Conference o
Parties is the highest-decision making body of the Convention, and usually meets annually.

Secretariat: The Conference of Parties and the Convention goals are supported by various bodies and
organizations. This includes a Permanent Secretariat with various duties set out under Article 8 of the
UNFCCC. Since 1996, the Secretariat has been based in Bonn, Germany, after an offer to host it was
accepted by Parties to the first meeting of the COP in 1995.

Subsidiary Bodies: A number of subsidiary bodies also advise the COP. The Subsidiary Body on Scientific
and Technical Advice (SBSTA) links scientific, technical and technological assessments, the information
provided by competent international bodies, and the policy-oriented needs of the COP. The Subsidiary Bod
for Implementation (SBI) was created to develop recommendations to assist the COP in reviewing and
assessing implementation of the Convention and in preparing and implementing its decisions. The SBSTA
SBI usually meet twice each year, at the same time and venue. One of these two yearly meetings general
takes place in parallel with the COP.

More recently, two additional bodies have been established. In late 2005, the Ad Hoc Working Group on
Further Commitments for Annex I Parties under the Kyoto Protocol was established. In late 2007, the COP
decided to establish the Ad Hoc Working Group on Long-Term Cooperative Action, under the COP. For mor
information on these bodies, see the sections on “COP 11” and “Post-2012 Issues” (below).

Financing and the Global Environment Facility: The UNFCCC includes provision under Article 10 for
a financial mechanism to support developing countries and countries with economies in transition to a mar
economy in implementing the Convention. Parties to the UNFCCC decided that the Global Environment
Facility (GEF) should act as the financial mechanism, given its expertise in this area.

Other financial resources for implementing the Convention are also available through the Special Climate
Change Fund, the Least Developed Countries Fund, and the Adaptation Fund, as well as through donor
countries and agencies.

Expert Groups and Other Constituted Bodies: The Convention is also supported by a number of exper
groups and other constituted bodies. These include the Consultative Group of Experts (CGE) on national
communications from “non-Annex I” Parties (a group composed mostly of developing countries). Other
bodies include the Least Developed Country Expert Group (LEG), the Expert Group on Technology Transfe
and the Executive Board of the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and Joint Implementation Superviso
Committee.

The Conference of the Parties also cooperates with, and is supported by, numerous other international
organizations and other groups, including scientific bodies, UN agencies, and other conventions. These
include the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which publishes comprehensive reviews o
climate change science every five to six years, as well as other technical reports and papers.

Another group, the open-ended Ad Hoc Group on the Berlin Mandate (AGBM), which was created following
COP-1 and was instrumental in securing the agreement on the Kyoto Protocol in 1997, no longer convenes

A History of Climate Change Negotiations

The UNFCCC has now been in existence for many years. The Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB) has reporte
from every COP and meeting of the subsidiary bodies, as well as one interim meeting prior to the first
Conference of the Parties (for more detailed information, see ENB UNFCCC Archives). The following section
charts the history and development of climate change negotiations from the early 1990s to the end of 200
with links to more detailed information contained in the Earth Negotiations Bulletin.

Negotiation of the UNFCCC: The international political response to climate change began with the adopt
of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 1992. The UNFCCC sets out
framework for action aimed at stabilizing atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases to avoid
“dangerous anthropogenic interference” with the climate system. Controlled gases include methane, nitrou
oxide and, in particular, carbon dioxide. The UNFCCC entered into force on 21 March 1994, and now has 1
parties.

Kyoto Protocol: However, in light of increasing scientific evidence about the risks of climate change, it so
became evident to policy makers that a further negotiated agreement might be necessary. In December
1997, delegates at COP 3 in Kyoto, Japan, agreed to a Protocol to the UNFCCC that commits developed
countries and countries in transition to a market economy to achieve quantified emission reduction targets
These countries, known under the UNFCCC as Annex I parties, agreed to reduce their overall emissions of
greenhouse gases by an average of 5% below 1990 levels between 2008-2012 (the first commitment
period), with specific targets varying from country to country. The Protocol also established three flexible
mechanisms to assist Annex I parties in meeting their national targets cost-effectively: an emissions tradi
system; joint implementation (JI) of emission reduction projects between Annex I parties; and the Clean
Development Mechanism (CDM), which allows for emission reduction projects to be implemented in non-
Annex I parties (developing countries). Following COP 3, parties began negotiating many of the rules and
operational details governing how countries will implement and measure their emission reductions. To dat
the Kyoto Protocol has been ratified by 177 countries, including Annex I parties representing 63.7% of An
I greenhouse gas emissions in 1990. The Kyoto Protocol entered into force on 16 February 2005.

Buenos Aires Plan of Action: In November 1998, COP 4 agreed on the process for finalizing the rules an
operational details of the Protocol in a document known as the Buenos Aires Plan of Action (BAPA). The BA
set COP 6 as the deadline for finalizing these details and strengthening implementation of the UNFCCC. In
November 2000, parties met at COP 6 in The Hague, the Netherlands, to complete these negotiations. The
were not successful, and COP 6 was suspended until July 2001, when it reconvened in Bonn, Germany. Af
further talks, parties adopted the Bonn Agreements, a decision that provided high-level political direction o
the implementation of the Kyoto Protocol. But delegates were still unable to finalize text on some issues, a
agreed to forward all the draft decisions to COP 7 for final resolution.

Marrakesh Accords: In November 2001 at COP 7 in Marrakesh, Morocco, delegates reached agreement o
the outstanding matters in the Marrakesh Accords. These Accords consisted of a package of draft decision
on many of the details of the Kyoto Protocol, including the flexible mechanisms, reporting and
methodologies, land use, land-use change and forestry (LULUCF), and compliance. The Marrakesh
Accordsalso addressed issues such as capacity building, technology transfer, responding to the adverse
effects of climate change, and the establishment of three funds: the Least Developed Countries (LDC) Fun
Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF), and Adaptation Fund.

Delegates built on the Marrakesh Accords at COP 8 and COP 9, elaborating on various technical rules and
procedures. At COP 10 parties also agreed on two new agenda items focused on adaptation and mitigation
and began informal negotiations on the complex and sensitive issue of how parties might engage on
commitments to combat climate change in the post-2012 period.

Montreal Conference – COP 11 and COP/MOP 1: COP 11 and COP/MOP 1 took place in Montreal,
Canada, from 28 November to 10 December 2005. COP/MOP 1 took decisions on the outstanding operatio
details of the Kyoto Protocol, and formally adopted the Marrakesh Accords. The meetings also engaged in
negotiations on longer-term international cooperation on climate change. COP/MOP 1 addressed possible
processes to discuss post-2012 commitments and decided to establish a new subsidiary body, the Ad
HocWorking Group on Further Commitments for Annex I parties under the Kyoto Protocol (AWG).

After lengthy negotiations, COP 11 also agreed to consider long-term cooperation under the UNFCCC
“without prejudice to any future negotiations, commitments, process, framework or mandate under the
Convention.” This would take place through a series of four workshops constituting a “Dialogue” on the
matter through to COP 13.

Protocol AWG and Convention Dialogue: The AWG and Convention Dialogue convened four times: at S
24 (Bonn, Germany, May 2006); COP 12 and COP/MOP 2 (Nairobi, Kenya, November 2006); SB 26 (Bonn
May 2007); and the “Vienna Climate Change Talks” (Vienna, Austria, August 2007).

The AWG began by considering the focus of its future work. At its second session in November 2006, the
AWG agreed on a work programme focusing on: mitigation potentials and ranges of emission reductions;
possible means to achieve mitigation objectives; and consideration of further commitments by Annex I
parties. At its third session in May 2007, the AWG adopted conclusions on the analysis of mitigation
potentials and agreed to develop a timetable to complete its work so as to avoid a gap between the first a
second commitment periods. The fourth session of the AWG started in Vienna in August 2007 and conclud
in Bali during COP/MOP 3. In Vienna, delegates focused on mitigation potentials and possible ranges of
emission reductions for Annex I parties. The AWG adopted conclusions referring to some key findings by
Working Group III of the IPCC, including that global greenhouse gas emissions need to peak in the next te
to fifteen years and then be reduced to well below half of 2000 levels by the middle of the 21st century in
order to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at the lowest levels assessed by the
IPCC. The AWG’s conclusions also recognize that to achieve the lowest stabilization level, Annex I parties a
a group would be required to reduce emissions by a range of 25-40% below 1990 levels by 2020.

The Convention Dialogue workshops began with an initial exchange of views on the four thematic areas
identified at COP 11: advancing development goals in a sustainable way; addressing action on adaptation;
realizing the full potential of technology; and realizing the full potential of market-based opportunities. Th
second and third workshops involved an exchange of views on the four areas, while the fourth focused on
bringing together ideas from the previous workshops and addressing overarching and cross-cutting issues
including financing. The final two workshops also considered the next steps after the Dialogue’s four
scheduled meetings had come to an end. As well as the AWG and Convention Dialogue, recent UNFCCC an
Kyoto Protocol meetings have also addressed long-term issues in other settings, including a first review of
the Protocol required under Article 9, and a proposal by the Russian Federation on “voluntary commitment

UN Climate Change Conference in Bali – COP 13 and COP/MOP 3: The “United Nations Climate Chan
Conference in Bali” was held from 3-15 December 2007. These meetings resulted in the adoption of 15 CO
decisions and 13 COP/MOP decisions and the approval of a number of conclusions by the subsidiary bodies
These outcomes covered a wide range of topics, including finalizing the Adaptation Fund under the Protoco
a decision on reducing emissions from deforestation in developing countries, and outcomes on technology
transfer, capacity building, the Kyoto Protocol’s flexible mechanisms, the adverse effects of combating
climate change, national communications, financial and administrative matters, and various methodologica
issues.

The main focus in Bali, however, was on long-term cooperation and the post-2012 period, when the Kyoto
Protocol’s first commitment period expires. Negotiators spent much of their time seeking to agree on a tw
year process – or “Bali roadmap” – to finalize a post-2012 regime by December 2009. Negotiations were
conducted in a number of groups under the aegis of both the Convention and the Protocol. Under the
Convention, the discussions focused on how to follow up on the “Dialogue on long-term cooperative action
address climate change by enhancing implementation of the Convention.” Under the Protocol, the AWG
considered a timetable for determining Annex I commitments for the post-2012 period. Delegates also
outlined a preparatory process for the second review of the Protocol under Article 9, and held discussions
the “Russian proposal” on voluntary commitments.

Negotiations on these issues were only completed on Saturday afternoon, 15 December, 24 hours after th
conference’s scheduled conclusion, when ministers and other high-level officials agreed to a series of
outcomes that together comprise the “Bali roadmap.” These decisions provide guidance and direction for a
series of meetings over the next two years under both the Convention and Protocol, with the aim of
concluding a comprehensive framework for the post-2012 period at COP 15 and COP/MOP 5 in Copenhage
Denmark, in 2009.

Post-Bali Talks: Following Bali, three negotiations were held during 2008 in the lead-up to the next COP.
The first session of the AWG-LCA and fifth session of the AWG-KP took place from 31 March to 4 April 200
in Bangkok, Thailand. Further sessions were held in June 2008 in Bonn, Germany and in August 2008 in
Accra, Ghana.

The main focus of AWG-LCA 1 in Bangkok was on developing its work programme for 2008. The work
programme, adopted at the end of the meeting, aims to further discussions on all elements of the Bali Act
Plan at every session of the AWG-LCA in a “coherent, integrated and transparent manner.” It establishes a
detailed work programme, including a timetable for eight in-session workshops to be held during 2008. Th
AWG-KP convened an in-session workshop on analyzing the means for Annex I parties to reach their
emission reduction targets. In its conclusions, AWG-KP 5 indicated that the flexible mechanisms under the
Protocol should continue in the post-2012 period, and be supplemental to domestic actions in Annex I
 countries.

During the first two weeks of June 2008, delegates convened in Bonn, Germany, to participate in four
meetings as part of ongoing negotiations under the UNFCCC and the Kyoto Protocol – AWG-LCA 2, AWG-K
(Part II), SBI 28 and SBSTA 28. At this meeting, the AWG-LCA shifted its focus towards more substantive
topics, with three workshops to help delegates consider adaptation, finance, and technology. Parties also
started discussions on a “shared vision for long-term cooperative action,” climate change mitigation, and t
AWG-LCA’s work programme for 2009. The fifth session of the AWG-KP focused on the means for Annex I
countries to reach emission reduction targets, with delegates addressing four specific issues: the flexible
mechanisms; land use, land-use change and forestry (LULUCF); greenhouse gases, sectors and source
categories; and possible approaches targeting sectoral emissions. Parties also considered relevant
methodological issues. The SBI and SBSTA took up a range of issues, some related to their regular, ongoin
work under the UNFCCC and Kyoto Protocol, and some more closely connected to the post-2012 discussio
The SBI examined subjects such as capacity building, technology transfer and preparations for the second
review of the Protocol under Article 9. SBSTA’s agenda included items on technology transfer and reducing
emissions from deforestation in developing countries.

Delegates next convened in Accra, Ghana, from 21-27 August 2008 for AWG-LCA 3 and AWG-KP 6. The m
focus of AWG-LCA 3 was to continue to exchange ideas and clarify key elements of the Bali Action Plan
(decision 1/CP.13), including a “shared vision for long-term cooperative action,” mitigation, adaptation,
technology and finance. Two in-session workshops were held on: cooperative sectoral approaches and
sector-specific actions, and policy approaches; and on policy incentives on issues relating to reducing
emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries (REDD), and the role of
conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing
countries. The AWG-KP focused on the means for Annex I countries to reach emission reduction targets, w
delegates addressing the flexible mechanisms and land use, land-use change and forestry (LULUCF).

India signed the UNFCCC on 10 June 1992 and ratified it on 1 November 1993. Under the UNFCCC,
developing countries such as India do not have binding GHG mitigation commitments in recognition of
their small contribution to the greenhouse problem as well as low financial and technical capacities.
The Ministry of Environment and Forests is the nodal agency for climate change issues in India. It has
constituted Working Groups on the UNFCCC and Kyoto Protocol. Work is currently in progress on India's
initial National Communication (NATCOM) to the UNFCCC.

The Kyoto Protocol to the UNFCCC was adopted in 1997 and requires developed countries and
economies in transition listed in Annex B of the Protocol, to reduce their GHG emissions by an average of
5.2% below 1990 levels. Article 12 of the Kyoto Protocol provides for the Clean Development Mechanism
(CDM).

India acceded to the Kyoto Protocol on 26 August 2002.

Current initiatives in India to improve understanding of climate change, and comply with the requirements
of the UNFCCC include:

Preparation of the country's initial National Communication to the UNFCCC by the Government of India.
All Parties are required to communicate a national inventory of GHGs, and a general description of steps
taken for the implementation of the Convention. The GHG inventory for the country is being prepared for
the base year 1994, and will cover five sectors: energy, industrial processes, agriculture, forestry, and
waste. This exercise involved detailed work on estimation of sectoral GHG emissions and identification of
country-specific emission factors. Vulnerability and adaptation assessment is also part of the National
Communication project.
 Support of the Asian Least-cost Greenhouse Gas Abatement Strategy (ALGAS) study, by the
Government of India. The study developed a national inventory of GHG sources and sinks, and identified
potential mitigation options. Country-specific emission factors have been developed for methane
emissions from paddy cultivation, carbon dioxide emissions from Indian coal, etc.

An extensive methane measurement campaign coordinated by the National Physical Laboratory in

1991. Measurements were undertaken in major paddy growing regions of the country under different rice
environs for the whole cropping period. Emissions from paddy cultivation in India were estimated to be
about 4 Tg/year (a tenth of United States Environmental Protection Agency estimates obtained by
extrapolating European and American data to India).

Several measures being undertaken in the country, which contribute to GHG mitigation.

Establishment of the Technology Information, Forecasting and Assessment Council under the
Department of Science and Technology, which facilitates the transfer of environmentally sound
technology.

Extensive efforts in conservation of forests and biodiversity. The Participatory Forest Management
Strategy of the Government of India secures rehabilitation of degraded areas, conservation of
biodiversity, along with sharing of benefits with local people. In situ conservation is undertaken through a
system of protected areas, including 75 national parks and 421 wildlife sanctuaries, covering 146,000
square km.

Coastal zone management plans by all coastal states and Union Territories as per the Coastal Zone
Regulation Notification of 1991by all coastal states and Union Territories. The Government of India has
set up Standing Committees for monitoring development in such fragile ecosystems as islands.

Generation of much-needed information about the vulnerability to climate change under the ongoing
Indo-UK Climate Change Impacts Programme supported by the Ministry of Environment and Forests,
Government of India. Several research organizations and academic institutions in the country are also
engaged in research on climate change impacts. The Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune, and
the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi are engaged in developing climate change scenarios for India.

Involvement of a number of governmental and independent agencies in climate change research in

India. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) observes climatic parameters at surface and upper air
observatories throughout the country. IMD's network includes 559 surface observatories, more than 8000
rainfall monitoring stations, 100 satellite-based data collection platforms in remote areas, 203 voluntary
observing ships, 10 cyclone detection radars, and 17 storm detection radars. Since 1983, IMD has
maintained a meteorological observatory at the Indian Antarctic station. This data is scrutinized and
archived at the National Data Centre, Pune, and used to study, predict, and determine the effects of
climate change.

Replacement of the existing cyclone detection radars with state-of-art Doppler Weather Radars in a
phased manner. The cities of Calcutta and Chennai have been the first ones to witness their use. An
indigenous Doppler weather radar is being developed under a collaborative programme of the IMD with
the Indian Space Research Organisation (IMD, 2001).

Using satellite data received from INSAT to provide cloud imageries in the visible and infrared channels,
which in turn, are used to derive cloud motion vectors, sea surface temperatures, and outgoing longwave
radiation.

Key role played by Indian scientists in national and international climate research efforts such as the
IIOE (International Indian Ocean Expedition), MONEX (Monsoon Experiment), INDOEX (Indian Ocean
Experiment), World Climate Research Programme, Global Observing System, and International
Geosphere-Biosphere Programme.

SUCCESSRATE

India Submits First Biennial Update Report to UNFCCC

India submitted its first Biennial Update Report (BUR) today, to the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), towards fulfillment of the
reporting obligation under the Convention. As per the provisions of the Convention,
countries need to periodically provide information in the form of their National
Communication.

BUR contains national GHG inventory of India for the year 2010, prepared in accordance
with the guidelines of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The
inventory covers six greenhouse gases, viz. Carbon dioxide (CO2), Methane (CH4),
Nitrous Oxide (N2O), Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), Perfluorocarbons (PFCs) and Sulfur
Hexafluoride (SF6) and five categories, namely- energy, industrial processes and product
use (IPPU), agriculture, waste and Land-use, Land-use, Change and Forestry
(LULUCF).

As per BUR, India emitted 2,136.84 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent greenhouse gases
in 2010. Energy sector was the prime contributor to emissions and with 71% of total
emissions in 2010. Energy sector includes - electricity production, fuel combustion in
industries, transport and fugitive emissions. Industrial processes and product use
contributed 8%; agriculture and waste sectors contributed 18% and 3% respectively to the
national GHG inventory. About 12% of emissions were offset by carbon sink action of
forests and croplands, considering which the national GHG emissions are arrived at a
total of 1,884.31 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent.

India’s per capita GHG emission in 2010 was 1.56 tCO2 equivalent, which is less than
one- third of the world’s per capita emissions and far below than many developed and
developing countries. A reduction of emission intensity of GDP by about 12% between
2005 and 2010 has been achieved against our voluntary pledge to reduce the emission
intensity of its GDP by 20–25 per cent by 2020, compared with the 2005 level.

BUR showcases a range of climate-friendly measures initiated through eight National

Missions under National Action Plan on Climate Change and other programs such as
Integrated Power Development Scheme, Renewable Purchase Obligations, enhancement
of cess on coal, Perform Achieve and Trade Scheme and National Program for LED
based lighting. At the national level, 137 and at state level 286 policies and measures
relevant to climate change have been mapped in the report on non-exhaustive basis.

BUR has different sections elaborating various aspects on climate change in the country,
such as institutional arrangements to implement the reporting process, national
circumstances in which country is responding to climate change, national greenhouse gas
inventory for 2010; initiatives of the government to tackle the problem of climate change
along with domestic arrangements to measure, report and verify these programs. A
section on finance, technology and capacity-building needs and support received has also
been provided.

BUR has been prepared by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
under its NATCOM project funded by Global Environment Facility (GEF) through
UNDP. Several studies were carried out by 17 national-level institutions, including CSIR
laboratories (CIMFR, CRRI, IIP, NEERI and NPL), ICAR institutes (CRIDA, IARI,
NDRI), organizations of the MoEFCC (FSI and ICFRE), premier educational institutions
(IIM Ahmedabad and IISc), Non-governmental research organizations (TERI and
IRADe) and other institutions (CII, EESL and NRSC) involving more than 60 researchers
along with inputs from various Ministries, Government departments and independent
experts. BUR has also undergone multitier review process and has been approved by the
Union Cabinet.

As per the rules of UNFCCC, BURs are subjected to an international process known as
International Consultation and Analysis (ICA). It is a process that includes international
scrutiny of BUR in a manner that is non-intrusive, non-punitive and respectful of national
sovereignty. All BURs are subjected to ICA process. As on 13 January 2016, 23
countries other than India, including Brazil, South Africa, South Korea have submitted
their BURs. China, world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases is yet to submit its BUR.
Brazil has submitted its BUR, but has given only provisional inventory. Developed
countries are required to submit a report known as the Biennial Report (BR), which is to
be submitted every alternate year and is subjected to International Analysis and Review
(IAR). Paris Agreement calls for developing country Parties to submit their first biennial
update reports as soon as possible. India has submitted its first BUR.

India had submitted its first national communication in 2004 and second national
communication in 2012. The UNFCCC in its sixteenth session of conference of Parties
(COP) had decided that the developing countries will submit updates to their national
communication on biennial basis in the form of ‘Biennial Update Report’. The scope of a
BUR is to provide an update to the latest National Communication submitted by the
country to the UNFCCC. Accordingly, India’s first BUR is an update to the Second
National Communication.