The 1992 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) provides that the parties should act to protect the climate system on the _____.

Basis of equity and in accordance with their common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities.

The correct answer is Option (2) → Basis of equity and in accordance with their common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities.

The 1992 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) states that parties should act to protect the climate system on the basis of equity and in accordance with their common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities.

This core principle, often abbreviated as CBDR-RC, acknowledges that all countries share a common responsibility to address climate change. However, it also recognizes that nations have different historical contributions to the problem and different capacities to address it. Therefore, industrialized countries, which are primarily responsible for historical emissions, have a greater obligation to take action and provide financial and technological support to developing countries. This principle is a cornerstone of global climate governance, shaping the approach to negotiations and agreements like the Paris Agreement.