Abstract

This report by Terry Townshend and Adam Matthews urges readers to look beyond what happens within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) – where countries are negotiating toward a new climate treaty. The authors assess how the building blocks for ambition within the UNFCCC are laid at home.

The report urges governments to:

• Encourage the creation of cross-party parliamentary groups on climate change, supported by a dedicated secretariat.
• Routinely engage with legislators before, during and after the annual UNFCCC meetings (as a minimum) to exchange views and build common understanding.
• Support international processes to engage legislators, to help inform the development of climate change legislation, promote good practice and develop peer groups.