Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities

A principle set out in Article 3 of the 1992 Convention: all countries share responsibility for addressing climate change, but their responsibilities and capabilities differ. The Paris Agreement restates it with the addition “in the light of different national circumstances”, reflecting a more flexible approach than the fixed annexes of the Convention.

Why it matters in the room

The principle is invoked whenever differentiation is at stake: who must do what, who provides finance, and how much flexibility applies in reporting. How it is read often explains positions on almost every other item.