United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
- It came into force on 21 March 1994.
- It was of the three-convention adopted at the ‘Rio Earth Summit’ in 1992. Others are United convention on Biological Diversity and Convention to Combat Desertification.
- The UNFCCC secretariat supports all institutions involved in the international climate change negotiations, particularly the Conference of the Parties (COP), the subsidiary bodies (which advise the COP).
- All subsequent multilateral negotiations on different aspects of climate change, including both adaptation and mitigation, are being held based on the principles and objectives set out by the UNFCCC.
- COP-1 was held in Berlin, COP-2 in Geneva and the COP-3 in Kyota to adopt the Kyoto Protocol.
KYOTO PROTOCOL: COP-3
- It was adopted in Kyoto, Japan, on 11 December 1997.
- It entered into force on 16 February 2005.
- Its first commitment period started in 2008 and ended in 2012.
- The major distinction between the Protocol and the Convention is that while the Convention encouraged industrialized countries to stabilize GHG emissions, the Protocol commits them to do so.
- Kyoto Protocol places a heavy burden on developed countries on the principle of ‘Common but differentiated responsibilities.
- It has classified countries into:
- Annex I: These are industrialized countries with ‘economies in transition’. These are mainly centrally-planned (Soviet) economies of Russia and Eastern Europe.
- Annex II: These are members of OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development).
- These countries are required to provide financial assistance in reducing greenhouse gases.
- Annex B: These are countries listed in Annex with first or second round commitment under the Kyoto protocol.
- Non-Annex I: These are mostly low-income countries. These may volunteer to become Annex I countries when they are sufficiently developed.
Doha amendment to the Kyoto Protocol
- Adopted on 8 December 2012.
- Annex I countries commitment to reduce green house gases from 2013 to 2020.
PARIS CLIMATE CHANGE CONFERENCE COP 21, 2015
Objectives of the Paris Agreement
- To restrict global average temperature to well below 2 °C above pre industrial levels and to pursue temperature increase to increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
- The agreement requires all part to give their Nationally determined contributions Plan to reduce green house gases.
- The Paris Agreement entered into force on 4 November 2016.
India at COP 21
- India has pledged to reduce emissions intensity per unit GDP by 33-35% of the 2005 level.
- India has aimed to reach non-fossil fuel installed energy by 40%.
- The target of 175GW of renewable energy generation by 2022.
- To enlarge forest cover to absorb 2.5 Billion tonnes worth of carbon dioxide.
COP-22 Marrakesh Action Plan
- The first session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement (CMA 1) took place in Marrakech, Morocco from 15-18 November 2016.
- Its mandate was to ensure developed countries to honour the commitment they had made in COP Paris-2015.
- It is nicknamed as COP of Africa.
COP-23 Bonn Conference
- This conference was conducted in Bonn, Germany.
- In this, 15 countries led by Canada and the UK formed an alliance to cut down their use of coal by 2030.
- ‘Gender Action Plan’ was launched to include women in climate activities.
- ‘Talanoa Dialogue’ was an important outcome of this conference. It is a year-long process to assess countries progresses on climate change.
COP-24
- It was held in Katowice, Poland.
- It finalized paris rulebook to operationalise the 2015 Paris agreement.
COP-25
- UNFCC 25th edition or COP-25 was held in Madrid, Spain.
- Originally the summit was to be held in Chile but at last minute shifted to Madrid.
COP-26
- UNFCC 26th edition or COP-26 will take place in Glasgow, Scotland in 2021.
- UK government will head this conference with assistance of Scotland.
Thank You
Team BYJU'S Exam Prep
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