Highlighting the inefficacy of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) recently released its State of Global Climate 2022 report. The Paris Agreement, which has been positioned at the center of ongoing global negotiations on climate change, was signed in 2015; however, according to WMO’s report, it failed to achieve its set agenda.
Performance of Paris Agreement as Per the Report
The report identified several failures with regards to the Paris Agreement. One of the most notable issues is the persistent rise in global temperatures. The last eight years (2015-2022) have been the warmest years on record globally, even after the signing of the Agreement. This temperature rise could have been more severe if not for the La Nina weather event, which cooled the weather system over the past three years.
Moreover, the updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)—aims to limit global warming to 1.5°C—were unsuccessful in reaching even the 2°C target. Consequently, the Paris Agreement has faltered in phasing out fossil fuels, which are chiefly causing the climate crisis. Furthermore, measures such as the NDCs and disaster risk reduction strategies and climate risk management plans have not been developed sufficiently to tackle extreme weather phenomena induced by climate change.
Suggestions for Improvement
To effectively combat climate change, the Paris Agreement needs to be complemented by a new global framework like a Fossil Fuel Treaty. It’s necessary to enforce compliance with the Paris Agreement’s commitments, particularly among the most industrialized countries and major sources of emissions. Swift and profound reductions in emissions are called for, taking advantage of available tools, knowledge, and solutions.
Furthermore, substantial investments in adaptation and resilience are essential, especially for the most vulnerable countries and communities who contribute the least to the crisis yet bear the brunt of its consequences.
The Paris Agreement on Climate Change Explained
The Paris Agreement is a legally binding global pact under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) that was adopted in 2015 at UNFCCC COP21. It superseded the Kyoto Protocol and focuses on combating climate change and controlling global warming to below 2o C above pre-industrial levels, aiming to limit it to 1.5o C.
The agreement operates on a cooperative framework allowing countries to work collectively on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, adapting to climate change impacts, and providing support to developing nations in their climate change mitigation efforts. As per the Agreement, each country is mandated to submit and refresh their NDCs every five years, which details their plans for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adaptation to climate change.
India and Its Updated NDCs
India, as part of its commitment to the Paris Agreement, has also updated its NDCs. These include specific pledges for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and strategies for adaptation to the impacts of climate change. The effectiveness of these measures and India’s overall contribution to global climate change mitigation efforts will continue to be scrutinized in the years ahead.
Key Takeaways from Past Examinations
Key questions from previous UPSC Civil Services Examinations have revolved around understanding the term “Intended Nationally Determined Contributions” in the context of global climate change action plans. There were also questions related to the UNFCCC Meeting in Paris in 2015 and critical outcomes from the 26th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC. Understanding how climate change affects India, particularly its Himalayan and coastal states, is a recurring theme.
Last Modified: February 20, 2024