ABSTRACT
The Climate Convention signed in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 by states carries the official title “United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change”. The special practice in the case of the Climate Convention is related to the wishes of the developing states. The main criticism and disappointment of the Convention on the part of the European states concerned the lack of specific obligations to reduce emissions within a certain period of time. The Convention allows for individual or joint implementation. The early adoption of national programs and of policies, and the translation of the spirit of cooperation expressed in Rio between North and South into financial commitments in the coming months will serve as the yardstick by which to measure, for the time being, the real effect and value of the Convention. The distinction between developed states and developing states is central to the allocation of responsibilities of the parties to the Convention.
