Civil Society
Non-governmental organizations play a key role in the UNFCCC negotiations. Article 7, paragraph 6, of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change provides for the admission of non-governmental organizations to sessions of the Convention bodies as observers [From UNFCCC.org]. As such, the NGO community has mandated access to the negotiations and is often one of the most influential actors within the UNFCCC process, given the breadth of the organizations and their ability to work collaboratively across national/regional boundaries in ways that the countries participating in the negotiations cannot.
Environmental Non-Governmental Organizations (ENGOs)
Under the UNFCCC system, the ENGO grouping applies to environmental, development, faith-based and related civil society stakeholder organizations
Climate Action Network
The largest network in the negotiations, serving as an umbrella coordinating mechanism of environmental, development, and faith based civil society groups from around the world.
CAN’s public activities during the COPs:
- Holds daily press conferences, highlighting the day’s activities and offering speakers for commentary.
- Publishes ECO, daily newsletter reviewing the latest news.
- Coordinates the Fossil of the Day, an award issued to a country for poor position/behavior in the negotiations within the past day.
Business & Industry Non-Governmental Organizations (BINGOs)
Business associations has been actively engaged in the UNFCCC process since the beginning, though the complexion has changed considerably as many more businesses beyond the energy companies have come to recognize the importance of the the negotiations and that they have an important voice in the process. Key actors:
Business Council for Sustainable Energy
World Business Council for Sustainable Development
International Chamber of Commerce
Research & Independent Non-Governmental Organizations (RINGOs)
Desiring to contribute to the UNFCCC process without being grouped with environmental advocates, RINGOs sought and received designation separately from NGOs/BINGOs by the Secretariat in the lead up to COP 8. The RINGOs seek to help identify and clarify issues as well as to develop and analyze options for addressing them, not to advocate specific views or approaches. Key Actors:
Trade Union Non-Governmental Organizations (TUNGOs)
The trade and labor unions have become increasingly active in the UNFCCC process and are organized at the UNFCCC primarily through the International Trade Union Confederation.