International Agreements on Climate Change: A Look at the UN Framework Post-Kyoto and Paris Treaties
The Paris Agreement, a landmark climate accord under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), was adopted in December 2015 and entered into force in November 2016. This agreement, which involves almost all countries (195 Parties), aims to combat climate change and adapt to its impacts.
The key elements of the Paris Agreement include a temperature goal, nationally determined contributions (NDCs), universal participation, adaptation and resilience, financial support and transparency, and a dynamic nature. The Agreement seeks to limit global warming to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and strive for 1.5°C, recognizing this as the primary scientifically based target. Countries submit their own climate action plans (NDCs) every five years, outlining efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate impacts.
However, the Paris Agreement faces ongoing challenges in achieving sufficient global mitigation and adaptation to climate change. Insufficient ambition is a significant issue, as current national pledges are not enough to keep warming to 1.5°C. Implementation gaps also pose a challenge, as translating national commitments into effective policies and emission reductions remains difficult due to political, economic, and technical barriers.
The primary mechanism for achieving the targets under the Paris Agreement consists of national climate protection plans, known as NDCs. The influence of emerging economies such as China, Brazil, India, and the wealthy Gulf states in international climate diplomacy has grown due to the absence of the United States from the climate negotiations.
Adaptation and resilience are crucial aspects of the Paris Agreement, which calls for strengthening resilience and adaptive capacity to climate hazards, integrating climate measures into national policies, and enhancing education and capacity-building in mitigation and adaptation. A list of indicators is being developed to create transparency and accountability for the achievement of the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA).
Financial support and transparency are also essential elements of the Agreement. Developed countries commit to mobilizing $100 billion annually to support developing nations, with mechanisms like the Green Climate Fund ensuring transparency and support. Balanced financing for adaptation and mitigation, called for since 2009, still seems a long way off. A new collective financing target of USD 300 billion per year until 2035 was agreed at COP29 in 2024.
The Paris Agreement complements but is independent from the UNFCCC, requiring coordination between their separate governance bodies (CMA for Paris Agreement and COP for UNFCCC), which can complicate decision-making. The most important decision-making body under the UNFCCC is the annual Conference of the Parties (COP), together with two technical subsidiary bodies.
The systemic financing gap for adaptation efforts is a significant obstacle to achieving the Global Goal on Adaptation. To address this, a loss and damage fund was established at COP27, although it remains critically underfunded. Every five years, there is a global stocktake to review the status of the global progress to mitigate the climate crisis.
It's important to note that carbon trading is not a zero-sum game, as compensation projects often do not lead to additional emissions reductions. Furthermore, compensation projects often result in human rights and land rights violations.
In conclusion, the Paris Agreement translates the general goals of the UNFCCC into more specific, actionable commitments but faces ongoing challenges in achieving sufficient global mitigation and adaptation to climate change. The success of the Agreement relies on the collective efforts of nations, the transparency of financial support, and the effective implementation of national climate protection plans.
Science plays a crucial role in setting the temperature goal of the Paris Agreement, as it provides the primary scientifically based target of limiting global warming to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and striving for 1.5°C. Financial support is essential for the Agreement, with developed countries committing to mobilize $100 billion annually to support developing nations in climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts. Businesses and industries, particularly those contributing to greenhouse gas emissions, are expected to participate in the Agreement by implementing national climate protection plans (NDCs) and adapting their operations to become more environmentally sustainable, thereby contributing to the global efforts against climate change.
