Describe the international climate change frameworks and agreements, such as the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement.
International climate change frameworks and agreements serve as essential platforms for global cooperation in addressing climate change. Two prominent agreements are the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement. Here is an in-depth description of these frameworks and agreements:
1. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC):
The UNFCCC, adopted in 1992, is a global treaty that establishes the overall framework for international cooperation on climate change. It aims to prevent dangerous human interference with the climate system and achieve stabilization of greenhouse gas concentrations. The key objectives of the UNFCCC are to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations, promote sustainable development, and enable countries to adapt to climate change.
The UNFCCC provides a platform for Parties (countries) to meet and negotiate agreements, share information, and coordinate actions. It sets the stage for subsequent negotiations and agreements, including the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement. The Conference of the Parties (COP) is the supreme decision-making body of the UNFCCC, where Parties come together annually to review progress, negotiate new commitments, and make decisions on climate-related issues.
2. Kyoto Protocol:
The Kyoto Protocol, adopted in 1997 and entered into force in 2005, is an international treaty under the UNFCCC. It sets binding emission reduction targets for developed countries (known as Annex I Parties) for the first commitment period from 2008 to 2012. The protocol includes mechanisms such as emissions trading, clean development mechanism, and joint implementation to facilitate the achievement of emission reduction targets.
The Kyoto Protocol emphasizes the principle of "common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities," recognizing that developed countries have historically contributed more to greenhouse gas emissions and should take the lead in mitigation efforts. However, the Kyoto Protocol does not cover emissions from developing countries, which led to limitations in its effectiveness and participation.
3. Paris Agreement:
The Paris Agreement, adopted in 2015 and entered into force in 2016, is a landmark global agreement under the UNFCCC. It aims to strengthen the global response to climate change, enhance mitigation efforts, and support adaptation and resilience-building measures. The Paris Agreement represents a significant shift in approach by involving all countries in climate action, including both developed and developing nations.
Key elements of the Paris Agreement include:
a. Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs): Each country is required to submit its own voluntary emissions reduction targets, known as NDCs, which outline their efforts to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. NDCs are submitted every five years and are expected to be more ambitious over time. The agreement encourages countries to pursue efforts to limit global temperature rise to well below 2 degrees Celsius and to strive for 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.
b. Adaptation and Loss & Damage: The Paris Agreement emphasizes the importance of adaptation to the impacts of climate change. It calls for increased support to developing countries in implementing adaptation measures and building climate resilience. The agreement also recognizes the concept of loss and damage, referring to the unavoidable impacts of climate change where adaptation is not sufficient, and establishes a mechanism to address these issues.
c. Transparency and Accountability: The Paris Agreement establishes a robust transparency framework to track progress and ensure accountability. Parties are required to regularly report on their emissions and implementation efforts, and a global stocktake is conducted every five years to assess collective progress towards the agreement's goals.
d. Climate Finance: The agreement emphasizes the provision of financial resources from developed countries to support developing countries in their mitigation and adaptation efforts. Developed countries are encouraged to contribute to a goal of mobilizing $100 billion annually by 2020, with a commitment to enhance this level of support in the post-2025 period.
e. Capacity Building and Technology Transfer: The Paris Agreement promotes capacity-building support and