A recent study published in the scientific journal, Nature Climate Change, has ranked India’s revised climate pledge to the Paris Agreement as fifth in compliance and fourth in ambition. The study includes a total of eight countries – India, the US, China, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Brazil, and the European Union (EU).
The Key Highlights of The Study:
The study evaluated the updated climate commitments of these countries during the 26th session of the United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP 26). Among the nations studied, the EU emerged as a leader, leaving the US trailing at the bottom of the list for both compliance and ambition.
Compliance Insights:
The compliance ranking was determined based on the countries’ likelihood of meeting their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) or climate pledges. Here, the EU led, followed by China, Australia, South Africa, India, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, and the US.
Ambition Evaluation:
In terms of ambition, where countries with bold commitments scored higher, the EU again took the lead. It was followed by China, South Africa, India, Australia, Brazil, Russia, the US, and Saudi Arabia.
Analyzing the Results:
The study found that nations with more stable governments were more likely to make bold and credible pledges. Additionally, China and other non-democratic countries were also likely to meet their commitments, as their administrative and political systems allow them to implement complex national policies effectively.
About the Paris Agreement:
The Paris Agreement, also known as Conference of Parties 21 (COP 21), was adopted in 2015, replacing the Kyoto Protocol—an earlier agreement aimed at tackling climate change. This global treaty saw cooperation from about 200 countries to curb Green House Gas (GHG) emissions and control climate change. The agreement’s ultimate goal is to restrict global warming to well below 2°C, preferably 1.5°C, compared to pre-industry levels.
The Mechanism of the Paris Agreement:
The Paris Agreement operates on a five-year cycle of progressively ambitious climate actions carried out by countries. In 2020, countries submitted their plans called Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). Long-term low greenhouse gas emission development strategies provide the extended horizon for the NDCs. But unlike the NDCs, they are not obligatory.
Monitoring Progress:
With the Paris Agreement, an enhanced transparency framework (ETF) was established. Countries are expected to transparently report their actions and progress in mitigating climate change every five years, starting in 2024. The ETF will track the data, which will then feed into a global assessment of collective progress towards long-term climate goals.
The Way Forward:
To achieve these long-term temperature goals, countries need to peak their greenhouse gas emissions as soon as possible to create a climate-neutral world by the mid-century. Governments must also make credible short-term commitments clear, considering multiple challenges like air pollution and economic development that some states may face.
Past UPSC Civil Services Examination Question (PYQ):
Referencing the UNFCCC Meeting in Paris in 2015, a previous year’s question in the UPSC Civil Services Examination (2016) asked about the details of the agreement. The correct answer highlighted the Paris Agreement’s aim to limit greenhouse gas emissions so as not to exceed a 2°C, or even a 1.5°C rise in average global temperatures above pre-industrial levels by the end of this century.
