The Convention sets out some guiding principles. The precautionary principle says that the lack of full scientific certainty should not be used as an excuse to postpone action when there is a threat of serious or irreversible damage. Other principles deal with the special needs of developing countries and the importance of promoting sustainable development. Both developed and developing countries accept a number of general commitments. They will adopt national programmes for mitigating climate change and develop strategies for adapting to its impacts.
Industrialized countries undertake several specific commitments.
They must also submit national communications on a regular basis detailing their climate change strategies. Several states may together adopt a joint emissions target. OECD countries should take the strongest measures, while the countries in transition to a market economy are granted a certain degree of flexibility. Annex II Parties will also help finance certain other Convention-related projects, and they will promote and finance the transfer of, or access to, environmentally sound technologies, particularly for developing country Parties. The Convention recognizes that the extent to which developing country Parties implement their commitments will depend on financial and technical assistance from the developed countries.