Global Warming

Defenders is at the forefront of advocacy efforts to mitigate global warming by stopping tropical deforestation. In addition to mitigating global warming, stopping deforestation benefits wildlife by preserving irreplaceable animal and plant species that rely on tropical forests. Defenders advocates in international and U.S. forums for strengthening and increasing the global funding mechanisms to preserve tropical forests.

Below are the main international forums in which Defenders works on climate change advocacy.

UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)


Adopted in 1992, the UNFCCC establishes a framework for intergovernmental efforts to address climate change with the overall objective of stabilizing greenhouse gas concentrations to prevent dangerous interference with world’s climate system.

The Convention recognizes the principles of equity and “common but differentiated responsibilities,” specifically noting the historical responsibility of industrialized countries in contributing to the problem.

The agreement differentiates between countries and their obligations: industrialized countries are listed in Annex I, and under the UNFCCC commit to reducing their emissions to 1990 levels; and most developing countries are considered non-Annex I countries and therefore are currently free of binding commitments given their lack of resources.

Kyoto Protocol


Recognizing that the commitments embodied in the UNFCCC would not be sufficient to mitigate climate change, countries negotiated a sub-agreement, the Kyoto Protocol, completed in 1997.

The Protocol includes stricter commitments on Annex I countries to reduce their emissions to below 1990 levels by an aggregate total of 5% by 2012 (specific reduction levels vary among developed countries).

In addition to requiring domestic policies and measures to achieve the reductions, the Protocol also establishes a number of mechanisms to help developed countries meet these targets, for example by sequestering carbon in forests, establishing energy efficiency projects in developing countries or trading emissions credits with other countries.

In 2007, negotiations are underway toward an additional round of commitments after the Protocol’s deadline expires in 2012. Defenders of Wildlife sees that these “post-Kyoto” negotiations, and particularly the level of U.S. participation, will prove critical to the future of the planet’s climate and biodiversity, and Defenders is engaged in them.

Learn more about Defenders’ broader work on global warming and its effects on species and natural ecosystems.