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Home / IAS Preparation / UNFCCC UPSC

UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) | UPSC Notes

Last Updated on Oct 15, 2024
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The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is an international environmental treaty that addresses the global issue of climate change. The UNFCCC was adopted in 1992 at the Earth Summit held in Rio de Janeiro and provides a foundational framework for international efforts to combat climate change. Their role is to provide an international framework that allows for cooperation to be created through measures to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations at a level that may prevent dangerous interference from human activities with the climate system.

This topic is applicable to Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examinations, with specific relevance to the syllabus of General Studies Paper II, on Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice, and International relations. It falls under Environmental Studies also since it involves global climate negotiations, international environmental treaties, and the whole process of policy-making in climate change.

GS Paper

General Studies Paper II

Topics for UPSC Prelims

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Kyoto Protocol, Paris Agreement, Conference of the Parties (COP), Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), Climate Finance

Topics for UPSC Mains

International Climate Agreements, India's Role in UNFCCC, Climate Change Mitigation Strategies

About UNFCCC

The UNFCCC acknowledges that climate change is a global phenomenon and, therefore, has to be addressed through an international effort. It provides that climate change is a problem falling within the common concern of all nations. The Convention forms the basis of making concrete agreements known as protocols which have the potential of creating binding restrictions on greenhouse gases.

Establishment of UNFCCC

The UNFCCC was adopted on 9 May 1992 and opened for signature at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, also known as the Earth Summit, held from 3 to 14 June 1992 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It entered into force on 21 March 1994 after getting the minimum number of ratifications required from its member countries. Today, the UNFCCC has 197 parties, making it one of the most universally supported treaties in the United Nations system.

Read the article on the Difference Between Paris Agreement and Kyoto Protocol!

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Objectives of UNFCCC

The primary objective of the UNFCCC is to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system. This basic goal is supplemented by several key objectives:

  • Enable natural adaptation through ecosystems.
  • Not to compromise food production.
  • To make possible sustainable economic development.

Organizational Structure of UNFCCC

The organizational structure of the UNFCCC is a structure to enable international negotiation and implementation of climate policies:

Conference of the Parties (COP)

This is considered the supreme body of the UNFCCC, comprising all its member countries. The supreme body conducts its annual meetings to review progress that has been undertaken in addressing the issue of climate change and to enact policies and measures for future actions.

Subsidiary Bodies

  • Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA): This subsidiary body provides scientific, technical, and methodological advice on climate change.
  • Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI): The SBI assists the COP in assessing and reviewing the implementation of the Convention.

Secretariat

Located in Bonn, Germany, the secretariat assists in the operations of the Convention, the COP and its subsidiary bodies by convening meetings, providing technical assistance and facilitating information distribution.

Mechanism of Finance

This mechanism includes GEF and GCF to provide finance which would assist the developing countries to achieve the objectives of UNFCCC.

Read the article on the Montreal Protocol!

List of Conference of Parties (COP) and Key Outcomes

A few COPs along with their significant outcomes are described here in this table:

List of Conference of Parties (COP) and their Key Outcomes

COP

Year

Location

Key Outcomes

COP 1

1995

Berlin, Germany

Berlin Mandate: Initiated negotiations for stronger commitments on reducing greenhouse gas emissions from developed countries, leading eventually to the Kyoto Protocol.

COP 3

1997

Kyoto, Japan

Kyoto Protocol: Established legally binding targets for developed countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an average of 5.2% below 1990 levels during the 2008-2012 commitment period. Introduced Emissions Trading, Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), and Joint Implementation (JI).

COP 7

2001

Marrakech, Morocco

Marrakesh Accords: Finalized rules for the implementation of the Kyoto Protocol, including operational aspects of CDM and compliance mechanisms.

COP 11

2005

Montreal, Canada

Montreal Action Plan: Initiated a process for future climate negotiations post-2012 when the first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol would end. Launched discussions on long-term cooperative action.

COP 13

2007

Bali, Indonesia

Bali Action Plan: Launched the negotiation process towards a comprehensive climate agreement to succeed the Kyoto Protocol. Emphasized "common but differentiated responsibilities" and enhanced action on mitigation, adaptation, technology development, and finance.

COP 15

2009

Copenhagen, Denmark

Copenhagen Accord: Recognized the scientific view that global temperature rise should be kept below 2°C, and included voluntary commitments from both developed and developing countries.

COP 16

2010

Cancun, Mexico

Cancun Agreements: Established the Green Climate Fund (GCF) to support developing countries, recognized the 2°C target, and created the Cancun Adaptation Framework to enhance action on adaptation.

COP 17

2011

Durban, South Africa

Durban Platform for Enhanced Action: Mandated the negotiation of a new global climate agreement by 2015, leading to the Paris Agreement. Extended the Kyoto Protocol until 2020.

COP 18

2012

Doha, Qatar

Doha Amendment: Extended the Kyoto Protocol's second commitment period from 2013 to 2020 and included a new set of binding emission reduction targets for participating developed countries.

COP 19

2013

Warsaw, Poland

Warsaw International Mechanism for Loss and Damage: Established to address loss and damage associated with the impacts of climate change, particularly in vulnerable developing countries.

COP 20

2014

Lima, Peru

Lima Call for Climate Action: Laid the groundwork for the Paris Agreement by delineating elements and requesting countries to submit their intended nationally determined contributions (INDCs).

COP 21

2015

Paris, France

Paris Agreement: A landmark accord where all countries committed to limit global warming to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, with efforts to limit it to 1.5°C. Established a framework for national pledges (NDCs) and global stocktakes.

COP 22

2016

Marrakech, Morocco

Marrakech Action Proclamation: Reaffirmed the commitment to full implementation of the Paris Agreement and stressed the urgency of enhanced action and support.

COP 24

2018

Katowice, Poland

Katowice Climate Package: Adopted comprehensive rules for implementing the Paris Agreement, detailing transparency, finance, adaptation, and mitigation measures.

COP 25

2019

Madrid, Spain

Madrid Climate Conference: Focused on finalizing the rulebook for the Paris Agreement, particularly Article 6 on carbon markets, but major decisions were deferred. Highlighted the urgency of enhanced climate ambition.

COP 26

2021

Glasgow, UK

Glasgow Climate Pact: Emphasized the need for accelerated action to keep the 1.5°C goal within reach. Called for stronger emission reduction commitments, increased climate finance, and enhanced efforts to address adaptation and loss and damage.

Read the article on the Climate of India!

Achievements of UNFCCC

Since its establishment, UNFCCC has attained several numerous key achievements:

  • Kyoto Protocol: Adopted in 1997 and came into force in 2005 provided legally binding targets for the reduction of emissions for developed countries.
  • Paris Agreement: Adopted in 2015 and came into force in 2016, pursues efforts to keep warming well below 2°C while trying to limit it within 1.5°C. All countries must establish and communicate their own nationally determined contributions (NDCs) and report on progress toward limiting greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Climate Finance Mechanisms: The Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the Adaptation Fund have been established as mechanisms that provide financial resources to aid in helping developing countries mitigate and adapt to impacts of climate changes.
  • Global Awareness and Engagement: The UNFCCC has greatly elevated global awareness about the reality of climate change and has also brought international cooperation and action.

Read the article on Climate Change In India!

Issues Concerning the UNFCCC

While being considered one of the international treaties major successes, this convention faces several issues:

  • Ambition Gap: The undertakings presently taken on by parties under the Paris Agreement fall below the expected limit of limiting global warming to 1.5°C.
  • Implementation Challenges: A number of countries are facing trouble in implementing their NDCs, primarily due to the lack of capacity, resources, and technological support to facilitate development.
  • Equity and Justice: There is a contest regarding equity within the obligations between developing and developed countries-the role of historical responsibilities and provision of financial support being some of the concerns being raised.
  • Non-Compliance: Mechanisms created for enforcement have not fully satisfied compliance with commitments.

Read the article on World Climate and Climate Change!

Way Forward

A few solutions for the triumph and effectiveness enhancement of the UNFCCC comprise:

  • Increased Ambition: Enhancement of NDCs by countries to bridge the ambition gap that brings it closer to the 1.5°C goal.
  • Capacity Building: Technical assistance and capacity building for developing countries are necessary to implement climate action.
  • Adequate Financial Support: Rich countries should implement their commitment to meet with the obligations of financial support especially to the most vulnerable countries.
  • Inclusivity through Participation: Support increased participation of non-state actors, including private sector, civil society and local communities, in UNFCCC processes.
  • Monitoring and Transparency: Improved monitoring, reporting and verification of emissions and climate actions for increased transparency and trust-building.

Key Takeaways for UPSC Aspirants

  • Origin/Purpose: This is the international environmental treaty adopted in 1992 at Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, to deal comprehensively with global climatic changes.
  • Objective: To stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the Earth's atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system.
  • Framework and Structure: The Accord separates countries into Annex I, which includes industrialized countries, and Non-Annex I, which contains developing countries. This is differentiated into separate levels of commitment, differentiated based on historical responsibility and financial abilities.
  • Major Accords: The Kyoto Protocol is intended to commit emission reduction targets to developing countries and the Paris Agreement was designed to limit global warming to well below 2°C over pre-industrial levels.
  • Mechanisms: Includes mechanisms such as CDM and JI to promote emission reductions and sustainable development.
  • Conference of the Parties (COP): Gatherings held annually whereby member countries discuss the level of progress made, engage in negotiations over new commitments, and formulate strategies aimed at achieving the convention's intended goals.
  • Nationally Determined Contributions: The Paris Agreement involves countries submitting action plans regarding their efforts to reduce emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change.
  • India's Commitment and Obligation: The commitments taken by India under UNFCCC include large renewable energy targets, afforestation programs, and energies-savings measures, which reflect the country's active involvement with climate change.

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UNFCCC UPSC FAQs

The UNFCCC has 197 members, including almost all countries in the world such as the United States, China, India, the European Union member states, and many others.

The secretariat of the UNFCCC helps support the work of the Convention, the Conference of the Parties, and its subsidiary bodies by arranging meetings, providing technical assistance, and spreading information.

The Conference of the Parties, COP, is the supreme decision-making body of the UNFCCC that convenes each year to assess the progress made and determine future climate policies as well as actions.

The Paris Agreement is an international treaty under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. This was adopted in 2015 to limit global warming to well below 2°C, with efforts to keep it below 1.5°C. This has called upon countries to set national targets for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

The Green Climate Fund is an offshoot of the United Nations Framework on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and its main agenda is to disburse finances to the developing nations to alleviate and adapt towards the adverse climatic change effects.

The UNFCCC is an international treaty against climate change based on the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and tackling worldwide cooperation concerning the issue of climate.

The headquarters of the secretariat is located in Bonn, Germany.

The UNFCCC itself is not legally binding; however, protocols and agreements under it, such as the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement, contain legally binding elements and commitments.
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