Environment ( All about unfccc)

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

Introduction

The UNFCCC is one of the most significant international treaties addressing the issue of global climate change. It was adopted at the Rio Earth Summit in 1992 and entered into force on 21 March 1994. Its primary objective is to stabilize greenhouse gas (GHG) concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that prevents dangerous human-induced interference with the climate system.

Background and Origin

• During the 1980s, scientific consensus began to emerge that increasing concentrations of GHGs—such as CO₂, CH₄, and N₂O—were leading to global warming.
• This led to the 1988 establishment of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) by UNEP and WMO.
• The findings of the IPCC’s First Assessment Report (1990) confirmed human influence on climate, prompting negotiations that culminated in the UNFCCC at the Earth Summit (Rio de Janeiro, 1992).

Objectives

The ultimate objective, as stated in Article 2, is:

“To achieve stabilization of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system.”

The Convention emphasizes:

• Sustainable development
• Common but differentiated responsibilities (CBDR)
• Equity and fairness in burden-sharing

 Key Principles

1. Common but Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR):
   Recognizes that while all states are responsible for addressing climate change, developed countries should take the lead due to their historical emissions.
2. Precautionary Principle:
   Lack of full scientific certainty should not delay actions to prevent environmental degradation.
3. Sustainable Development:
   Climate policies should integrate environmental protection with economic growth.
4. Equity:
   Climate actions must consider the needs of developing countries and vulnerable communities.

Structure and Bodies

The UNFCCC Secretariat is headquartered in Bonn, Germany. The main institutional bodies are:

1. Conference of the Parties (COP):
   The supreme decision-making body that meets annually to assess progress.
• COP1: Berlin (1995)
• COP21: Paris (2015) – adoption of the Paris Agreement
• COP28: Dubai (2023)
3. Subsidiary Bodies:
• SBSTA (Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice)
• SBI (Subsidiary Body for Implementation)
5. Financial Mechanism:
   Managed by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), with support from the Green Climate Fund (GCF).

Major Agreements under UNFCCC

1. Kyoto Protocol (1997):
• Legally binding targets for 37 industrialized nations to reduce GHG emissions.
• Introduced mechanisms such as Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), Joint Implementation (JI), and Emission Trading (ET).
• First commitment period: 2008–2012; Second: 2013–2020 (Doha Amendment).
3. Paris Agreement (2015):
• Replaced Kyoto Protocol from 2020 onwards.
• Aims to limit global temperature rise to well below 2°C, preferably 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
• Each country submits Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) reflecting its own targets.
• Legally binding procedural obligations but not emission targets.
• Emphasizes climate finance, adaptation, and transparency.

India and UNFCCC

• India ratified the UNFCCC in 1993 and the Paris Agreement in 2016.
• India’s National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) (2008) aligns with UNFCCC goals through missions on solar energy, energy efficiency, sustainable habitat, and more.
• India’s NDC (2022 Update):
• Reduce emissions intensity of GDP by 45% by 2030 from 2005 levels.
• Achieve 50% cumulative electric power capacity from non-fossil sources by 2030.
• Achieve Net Zero by 2070 (announced at COP26, Glasgow)

Challenges

• Lack of binding commitments for developing nations.
• Inadequate climate finance and technology transfer.
• Political disagreements between developed and developing countries.
• Slow progress in emission reductions despite scientific warnings.

Significance

• The UNFCCC serves as the foundation of global climate governance.
• Promotes cooperation through transparency, research sharing, and financial assistance.
• Provides a platform for evolving mechanisms such as carbon markets, adaptation funds, and loss and damage frameworks.

Conclusion

The UNFCCC remains a cornerstone of international environmental diplomacy. While it has successfully created awareness and institutional frameworks, the real challenge lies in implementation and equitable burden-sharing. As climate impacts intensify, stronger commitments, deeper cooperation, and just transitions are crucial to achieve the Convention’s ultimate goal of safeguarding the planet for future generations.