Master10
Environment & Ecology Module

Climate Change & UNFCCC COP Summits

International climate governance is coordinated under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), adopted at the 1992 Rio Earth Summit. The Conference of the Parties (COP) serves as the supreme decision-making body, meeting annually to negotiate greenhouse gas mitigation and climate adaptation targets. The landmark 1997 Kyoto Protocol introduced legally binding emission reduction targets for developed nations through carbon credits and Clean Development Mechanisms. At COP21 in 2015, nations adopted the Paris Agreement, committing to limit global temperature increases well below 2.0°C above pre-industrial levels, pursuing 1.5°C targets through Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). The IPCC publishes scientific Assessment Reports on global climate risks.

Key Concepts & Examination Highlights

  • The Paris Agreement was adopted at COP21 in December 2015, establishing the goal of limiting global warming to well below 2°C, and preferably 1.5°C.
  • The Kyoto Protocol, adopted in 1997 and entering into force in 2005, set legally binding greenhouse gas reduction targets for Annex I developed countries.
  • The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) was established in 1988 jointly by the WMO and UNEP.
  • The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was adopted in 1992 at the Rio Earth Summit (UNCED) and entered into force in 1994.
  • The principle of Common But Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC) forms the foundational equity pillar of international climate agreements under the UNFCCC.
  • Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are non-binding national climate action plans submitted by countries under the Paris Agreement every five years to outline emission reduction targets.
  • COP26 held in Glasgow in 2021 adopted the Glasgow Climate Pact, which included the first explicit COP decision to phase-down unabated coal power and phase-out inefficient fossil fuel subsidies.
  • At COP26, India announced its 'Panchamrit' climate pledges, including achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by the year 2070 and meeting 50% of energy requirements from renewables by 2030.
  • COP27 held at Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, in 2022 established a dedicated Loss and Damage Fund to support vulnerable developing nations impacted by climate disasters.
  • COP28 held in Dubai, UAE, in 2023 concluded the first Global Stocktake and agreed on a roadmap to transition away from fossil fuels in energy systems.
  • The Kyoto Protocol introduced three flexible market-based mechanisms: Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), Joint Implementation (JI), and International Emissions Trading (IET).
  • India launched the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) in June 2008, comprising eight core national missions covering solar energy, energy efficiency, sustainable habitat, water, and forestry.
  • The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was adopted at the Rio Earth Summit in 1992 to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere.
  • The Kyoto Protocol, adopted at COP3 in 1997 and entered into force in 2005, set legally binding emission reduction targets for developed nations (Annex I countries).
  • The Kyoto Protocol introduced three market-based flexible mechanisms: Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), Joint Implementation (JI), and International Emissions Trading (IET).
  • The Paris Agreement was adopted at COP21 in 2015, aiming to limit global temperature rise well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, with efforts to cap it at 1.5°C.
  • Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are self-determined climate action pledges submitted by countries every five years under the Paris Agreement framework.
  • The Green Climate Fund (GCF) was established at COP16 in Cancun to support developing countries in climate adaptation and mitigation practices.
  • COP26 held in Glasgow in 2021 saw India announce its 'Panchamrit' climate targets, including achieving Net-Zero carbon emissions by the year 2070.
  • COP27 held at Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt in 2022 established a dedicated 'Loss and Damage Fund' to assist vulnerable developing nations facing severe climate impacts.
  • COP28 held in Dubai in 2023 concluded the first Global Stocktake (GST) and included a historic consensus to transition away from fossil fuels in energy systems.
  • The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), established in 1988 by WMO and UNEP, produces comprehensive Scientific Assessment Reports (ARs) on climate change.
  • The Global Methane Pledge, launched at COP26, commits participating nations to reduce global methane emissions by at least 30% from 2020 levels by 2030.
  • The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is the European Union's tariff policy on carbon-intensive imports like steel, cement, and aluminium to prevent carbon leakage.
  • India updated its NDCs in 2022, pledging to reduce the emissions intensity of its GDP by 45% by 2030 from 2005 levels and achieve 50% cumulative electric power from non-fossil sources.
  • The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was adopted at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992.
  • The Conference of the Parties (COP) serves as the supreme decision-making body of the UNFCCC, meeting annually since 1995.
  • COP 1 was convened in Berlin, Germany, in 1995, resulting in the Berlin Mandate to establish quantified greenhouse gas reduction targets.
  • COP 3 in 1997 adopted the historic Kyoto Protocol, the first legally binding international treaty setting mandatory emissions reduction targets for Annex I developed countries.
  • The Kyoto Protocol officially entered into legal force on February 16, 2005, following ratification by the Russian Federation.
  • The Kyoto Protocol targeted six primary greenhouse gases: Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Methane (CH4), Nitrous Oxide (N2O), Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), Perfluorocarbons (PFCs), and Sulfur Hexafluoride (SF6).
  • The Doha Amendment to the Kyoto Protocol (2012) established a second commitment period running from 2013 to 2020, adding Nitrogen Trifluoride (NF3) to the list.
  • The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) was established in 1988 jointly by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
  • The IPCC was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007 jointly with former US Vice President Al Gore for its comprehensive climate assessments.
  • COP 21, held in Paris in December 2015, adopted the landmark Paris Agreement to govern global climate actions beyond 2020.
  • The Paris Agreement aims to hold the increase in global average temperature well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and pursue efforts to limit it to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
  • Under the Paris Agreement, every signatory country submits voluntary, progressively ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) revised every five years.
  • The Paris Agreement established the Global Stocktake (GST) mechanism to assess collective global progress toward climate goals every five years starting in 2023 at COP 28.
  • COP 13 (2007) in Bali, Indonesia, established the Bali Action Plan, introducing the concept of REDD (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation).
  • REDD+ expanded the original REDD framework to include conservation, sustainable forest management, and enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing nations.
  • COP 15 (2009) in Copenhagen, Denmark, produced the Copenhagen Accord, where developed countries pledged to mobilize 100 billion dollars annually by 2020 for developing nations.
  • COP 16 (2010) in Cancun, Mexico, formally established the Green Climate Fund (GCF), headquartered in Songdo, Incheon, South Korea.
  • COP 17 (2011) in Durban, South Africa, established the Durban Platform for Enhanced Action, which launched negotiations leading directly to the 2015 Paris Agreement.
  • COP 18 (2012) in Doha, Qatar, established the second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol and advanced discussions on loss and damage.
  • COP 19 (2013) in Warsaw, Poland, created the Warsaw International Mechanism (WIM) for Loss and Damage associated with climate change impacts.
  • COP 26, held in Glasgow, Scotland, in 2021, finalized the Paris Agreement Rulebook (including Article 6 governing international carbon markets) and adopted the Glasgow Climate Pact.
  • At COP 26 in Glasgow, India announced the 'Panchamrit' climate pledges, including reaching net-zero carbon emissions by the year 2070.
  • India's Panchamrit targets also include achieving 500 GW non-fossil energy capacity by 2030 and meeting 50 percent of its energy requirements from renewable energy by 2030.
  • India launched Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) at COP 26, promoting individual pro-planet behavioral shifts to combat climate change.
  • The International Solar Alliance (ISA) was launched jointly by India and France at COP 21 in Paris in 2015, headquartered in Gurugram, Haryana.
Curriculum & Reference Sources: UNFCCC Secretariat, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

Sample Solved Questions & Concept Explanations

8 Verified Concept Questions
Q1.EASY

The legally binding landmark global climate agreement adopted at COP21 in December 2015 is known as what?

Q2.MEDIUM

The 'Earth Summit' (United Nations Conference on Environment and Development) held in 1992 in Rio de Janeiro produced which foundational action plan for sustainable development?

Q3.HARD

The 'Albedo Effect' in global climate feedback systems refers to what physical parameter of Earth's surface?

Q4.HARD

Under the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report (AR6), what is the 'Carbon Budget' remaining to limit global warming to 1.5°C with a 50% probability from 2020?

Q5.HARD

The 'Kyoto Protocol' flexibility mechanisms allowed industrialized Annex I countries to meet emissions targets using which three carbon market instruments?

Q6.HARD

The 'Loss and Damage Fund' to assist climate-vulnerable developing nations was formally operationalized at which United Nations Climate Summit?

Q7.EASY

Which greenhouse gas is the primary contributor to human-induced global warming, emitted in vast quantities by burning fossil fuels?

Q8.EASY

What is the term for the gradual warming of Earth's surface and lower atmosphere caused by atmospheric gases trapping outgoing infrared radiation?