Negotiating Blocs
Unless otherwise noted, definitions on this page are from the UNFCCC’s description of “party groupings.”
For a good visual look at the various negotiating blocs, visit this interactive map.
Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS)
Coalition of 43 low-lying island countries that are particularly vulnerable to sea-level rise. AOSIS countries are united by the threat that climate change poses to their survival and frequently adopt a common stance in negotiations. During the Kyoto Protocol negotiations, AOSIS was the first to put forward concrete proposal for for cuts in carbon dioxide emissions of (20% from 1990 levels by 2005), known as the “AOSIS Protocol.” As a result of increasing scientific evidence of more rapid global warming beyond what was outlined in the IPCC Fourth Assessment, AOSIS began to call for a lower ecological threshold for stabilization of emissions, calling for a total temperature change of 1.5°C. AOSIS members are also members of the G77.
European Union (EU)
The EU works intensively to produce unified negotiation positions in advance of each COP or negotiation session, and meet frequently (as does the G77) through each negotiation session to maintain a common position and react to proposals from others. One country holds the EU Presidency (currently Sweden) – a position that rotates every six months, typically help by the Ministry of Environment, who then speaks for the European Community and its 27 member states. The European Community itself is a Party to the Convention, but does not have a separate vote from its members.
Group of 77 (G77) & China
G77 and China establish common negotiating positions among developing country parties to the UNFCCC. The G77 positions are presented by the country serving as the Chair of the group for that level of the negotiation, who will indicate that they are “speaking on behalf of the G77.” However, as there are a wide range of interests on climate change within the G-77, from AOSIS to OPEC, sub-groups of developing countries (eg: African Group, AOSIS, LDC, etc) will also state their positions along side the G77 position, or independently if there is no consensus G77 position.
The Umbrella Group
The Umbrella Group is a loose coalition of non-EU developed countries which formed following the adoption of the Kyoto Protocol. Although there is no formal list, the Group is usually made up of Australia, Canada, Iceland, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, the Russian Federation, Ukraine and the US. The Umbrella Group emerged Post Kyoto from the JUSSCANNZ group, who coordinated the positions of Japan, the USA, Switzerland, Canada, Australia, Norway and New Zealand (JUSSCANNZ).
Least Developed Countries (LDC)
The 49 countries defined by the UN as Least Developed Countries have been working increasingly together on the climate change, particularly on issues relating to vulnerability and adaptation needs, and often in collaboration with AOSIS, as the two groups most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. They are given special consideration under the UNFCCC due to their limited capacity to respond to climate change.
The Environmental Integrity Group (EIG)
The Environmental Integrity Group (EIG) is a recently formed coalition comprising Mexico, the Republic of Korea and Switzerland.
The African Group
The African Group, which consisting of Parties who are members of the African Union work together to establish joint positions and statements within the UNFCCC negotiations. Members of the African Group are also members of the G77.