Since 1995, the Conference of the Parties (COP) has been the main stage where the world comes together to decide the course of climate action. Over the years, some summits have stood out for setting milestones that continue to shape our present and future.
COP3 – Kyoto, 1997
The Kyoto Protocol marked the first binding agreement where industrialized nations committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It was the starting point for global climate negotiations.
COP15 – Copenhagen, 2009
Although expectations were high, the conference is remembered for its failure to reach a binding treaty. Still, it paved the way for broader global participation in future climate agreements.
COP21 – Paris, 2015
A true milestone. The Paris Agreement united almost all countries under the goal of keeping global warming well below 2°C, ideally 1.5°C. It remains the most ambitious international climate pact to date.
COP26 – Glasgow, 2021
Here, countries agreed to accelerate the reduction of coal and fossil fuel use, increase financing for adaptation, and review their climate commitments more frequently. Glasgow gave new momentum to climate action in a critical decade.
These key COPs remind us that, while challenges persist, each summit brings us closer to global collaboration in the fight against climate change.