The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change was ratified by Bulgaria by a law adopted by the 37th National Assembly on 16 March 1995. The Convention achieves the following:
- First, it acknowledges the existence of the problem. This is a huge step forward. It is not easy for the nations of the world to agree on common action, especially when it concerns a problem whose consequences will matter more to our grandchildren and great-grandchildren than to the current generation. However, the Convention was developed in just over two years and ratified by more than 180 countries. The Agreement entered into force on 22 March 1994.
- The Convention sets the ultimate goal of stabilising greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere to a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system. This definition of the objective avoids specifying precise allowable concentrations and focuses on the consensus formula 'safe level', which is subject to further periodic refinement and negotiation. It states that "this level should be reached within a timeframe that will be sufficient for ecosystems to adapt naturally to climate change, for food production to be guaranteed and for sustainable economic development to be achieved". Furthermore, it stresses that changes in the climate system are inevitable and that both preventive and adaptation measures are needed.
- The Convention sets the framework and process for agreeing concrete actions in the future. It is designed to allow Parties to weaken or strengthen agreed measures in response to new scientific developments. They can take specific actions, for example reducing greenhouse gas emissions by a certain percentage through the adoption of protocols to the Convention. The Kyoto Protocol, adopted in 1997, is a case in point.