The Framework Convention on Climate Change probably qualifies as the first global “sustainable development convention.” It integrates the basic human quests for economic security and for a safe and healthy environment. In this chapter we hope to do four things. First, we want to review how the nature of the climate change problem, and of its solutions, influenced the negotiations and resulted in a “sustainable development convention.” Second, the chapter will discuss how the process evolved over time—from science to negotiations to agreement—and attempt to draw some lessons from this experience. Third, we will review why we think the Convention's mechanisms and processes are significant. Fourth, and finally, we would like to highlight the importance of a “prompt start” to follow-up on the negotiations. We emphasize that the views expressed here are our personal views and are not to be considered as the positions of either the United Nations Environment Programme or the Government of Canada.

Climate change is a particularly challenging policy question. It is, first of all, a policy problem of unprecedented scope and complexity. The enhanced greenhouse effect is the unanticipated result of industrialization, land use and technological changes, modern lifestyles and our dependence on energy. In fact, someone has described it as the result of normal, not aberrant, behaviour. There is no particular villain, for we are all responsible.