Climate negotiations are among the most complex diplomatic processes in the world. They require agreement between nearly 200 countries with vastly different economic interests, historical responsibilities, and vulnerabilities to climate impacts. Wealthier, industrialised nations bear most historical responsibility for cumulative emissions, while smaller and poorer countries often face the most severe consequences of climate change. The Paris Agreement of 2015 represented a historic breakthrough, committing countries to limit warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. However, current national commitments, if fully implemented, would still result in warming of approximately 2.5 to 3°C. The gap between ambition and action remains the central challenge of global climate diplomacy.

💡 Did you know? The term 'carbon footprint' was popularised by an advertising campaign by BP in 2004 — deliberately shifting responsibility from corporations to individuals. The strategy worked remarkably well.