The UNFCCC is based on a top down approach, giving an overall goal for greenhouse gas reductions but with flexibility on how to achieve these reductions. The UNFCCC can be regarded as the instigator for activities and projects to reduce CO2 emissions from sources such as coal combustion. Even though many countries are still not parties to the convention, the activities underway are relatively aligned as many countries accept the potential environment consequences of elevated greenhouse gases and take similar approaches to reducing emissions.