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

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.

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.

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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.

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List of Conference of Parties (COP) and Key Outcomes

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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