Climate Change & Global Initiatives (Paris Agreement, COP Summits)
🟠 Topic 77: Climate Change & Global Initiatives (Paris Agreement, COP Summits)
📌 Introduction
Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns, mainly caused by human activities such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial emissions. These activities release greenhouse gases (GHGs), trapping heat and leading to global warming, rising sea levels, erratic weather, and biodiversity loss.
The global response to climate change has evolved through international agreements, conferences, and national action plans, forming the backbone of climate governance today.
🔹 What is Climate Change?
📖 Definition
Climate change is the long-term alteration in temperature, precipitation, and other atmospheric patterns, largely due to human-induced activities such as fossil fuel use, deforestation, and industrial emissions.
Key Causes of Climate Change
| Cause | Description |
|---|---|
| Greenhouse Gas Emissions | CO₂, CH₄, N₂O from industries, transport, agriculture |
| Deforestation | Loss of carbon sinks that absorb CO₂ |
| Industrialisation | Energy-intensive manufacturing processes |
| Agricultural Practices | Methane emissions from rice fields, livestock |
Consequences of Climate Change
| Impact | Example |
|---|---|
| Rising Temperatures | Hottest years recorded in the last decade |
| Extreme Weather Events | Cyclones, floods, heatwaves |
| Melting Glaciers & Rising Sea Levels | Threat to coastal cities (Mumbai, Kolkata) |
| Loss of Biodiversity | Coral bleaching, species extinction |
| Food & Water Insecurity | Erratic monsoons, reduced agricultural yield |
🔹 Key Global Initiatives
1️⃣ United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) – 1992
📖 Definition
The UNFCCC is the foundational international treaty aimed at stabilising greenhouse gas concentrations to prevent dangerous human interference with the climate system.
✔️ Adopted at the Earth Summit (Rio de Janeiro) in 1992.
✔️ Provides a framework for global climate negotiations through annual COP summits.
2️⃣ Kyoto Protocol – 1997
📖 Definition
The Kyoto Protocol was the first legally binding climate treaty, committing developed countries to specific emission reduction targets.
✔️ Adopted in 1997, came into force in 2005.
✔️ Introduced Carbon Trading (Clean Development Mechanism – CDM).
✔️ Exempted developing countries, including India and China.
Shortcomings
❌ Excluded major emitters like the US (which withdrew).
❌ Did not bind developing countries, limiting effectiveness.
3️⃣ Paris Agreement – 2015
📖 Definition
The Paris Agreement is a landmark global climate pact under the UNFCCC, aiming to limit global warming to well below 2°C (preferably 1.5°C) above pre-industrial levels.
✔️ Adopted at COP 21 (Paris).
✔️ Applies to all countries, not just developed nations.
✔️ Each country sets Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
✔️ Countries review progress every 5 years (Global Stocktake).
India’s Commitments Under Paris Agreement
✔️ Reduce emission intensity by 45% by 2030 (compared to 2005).
✔️ Achieve 500 GW non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030.
✔️ Achieve net zero emissions by 2070.
✔️ Create a carbon sink of 2.5-3 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalent through forest cover.
Key Features
| Principle | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Common but Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR) | Developed countries take lead, developing countries get flexibility |
| Climate Finance | Developed nations to provide $100 billion annually to developing nations |
| Transparency Framework | All countries report emissions and actions |
Case Study – India’s Renewable Push
- International Solar Alliance (ISA): Founded by India and France to promote solar energy globally.
- Faster renewable deployment: Solar parks, rooftop solar, and wind power initiatives have pushed India’s non-fossil capacity to ~42% (2023).
🔹 Conference of Parties (COP) Summits
What is COP?
The Conference of Parties (COP) is the annual climate negotiation platform under the UNFCCC, where all member countries review progress and set future climate action.
Key COP Outcomes
| COP | Location & Year | Key Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| COP 3 | Kyoto, 1997 | Kyoto Protocol adopted |
| COP 21 | Paris, 2015 | Paris Agreement adopted |
| COP 26 | Glasgow, 2021 | Global coal phase-down pledge, methane reduction plan |
| COP 28 | UAE, 2023 | Stocktake on 1.5°C progress, focus on climate finance |
🔹 India’s National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC)
📖 Definition
The NAPCC, launched in 2008, outlines India’s strategy to address climate change while promoting sustainable development.
| Mission | Focus |
|---|---|
| National Solar Mission | 100 GW solar capacity |
| National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency (NMEEE) | Perform, Achieve, Trade (PAT) scheme |
| National Water Mission | Water conservation and management |
| National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture | Climate-resilient farming |
| Green India Mission | Forest cover enhancement |
| National Mission on Himalayan Ecosystem | Preserve fragile Himalayan ecology |
| National Electric Mobility Mission | Electric vehicle promotion |
| National Adaptation Fund for Climate Change (NAFCC) | Support for climate adaptation projects |
State Action Plans (SAPCC)
✔️ States design their own climate action plans aligned with NAPCC goals.
🔹 Key Concepts – Climate Finance
| Concept | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Green Climate Fund (GCF) | Supports climate projects in developing nations |
| Carbon Pricing | Putting a price on carbon emissions (tax or trading) |
| Loss and Damage Fund | Provides compensation to vulnerable nations for climate-related losses |
Case Study – Perform, Achieve, Trade (PAT)
- PAT is a market-based energy efficiency scheme under NMEEE.
- High energy-consuming industries are given energy-saving targets.
- Surplus savings can be traded with underperforming units.
🔹 India’s Challenges in Climate Action
1️⃣ Energy Dependence
- Over 50% of electricity still comes from coal.
- Transition to renewables requires massive investment.
2️⃣ Climate Finance Gap
- Developed nations failed to meet the $100 billion annual commitment.
- India needs $10 trillion for net-zero by 2070.
3️⃣ Vulnerability to Climate Impacts
- India faces: ✔️ Intense heatwaves. ✔️ Rising sea levels threatening coastal cities. ✔️ Agricultural losses due to erratic monsoons.
4️⃣ Balancing Development and Emissions
- As a developing country, India must ensure: ✔️ Energy access for all. ✔️ Poverty alleviation alongside emission cuts.
📚 Practice MCQ
1️⃣ Which of the following global initiatives introduced the concept of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)?
✅ Options:
(a) Kyoto Protocol
(b) Montreal Protocol
(c) Paris Agreement
(d) Agenda 21
2️⃣ What is the target year set by India to achieve Net Zero emissions?
✅ Options:
(a) 2050
(b) 2070
(c) 2045
(d) 2060
3️⃣ The Polluter Pays Principle was reaffirmed in which key Indian legislation?
✅ Options:
(a) Wildlife Protection Act
(b) Environmental Protection Act
(c) Water Act
(d) Forest Rights Act
