The article starts with an overview on the most important scientific results on global warming and climate change as published by international conferences in Villach 1985/87 and Toronto 1988. It especially emphasizes the conclusions and provisions of the Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in 1990. The paper then describes the negotiating processes that finally led to the conclusion and signing of the framework convention on climate change. The author argues that because of sensitive national interests the protection of the atmosphere will be one of the most challenging Issues of global environmental policy in the future.
