Lecture 10 - International Conventions Part 1.pdf

Environment & Ecology
Class No. 10
International Conventions Part 1
UPSC Prelims

International Conventions
Environment & Ecology by Dr. Shivin Chaudhary Click Here to Learn More
● Other climate funds
● Adaptation Fund
● It was established in 2001 to finance concrete adaptation projects and
programmes in developing country Parties to the Kyoto Protocol that are
particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change.
● Green Climate Fund (GCF)
● It was established in COP 16, in 2010 and developed countries had pledged
to mobilise US$ 100 billion per year by 2020 through this fund to support
developing countries raise and realize their Nationally Determined
Contributions (NDC) ambitions towards low-emissions, climate resilient
pathways

● UN-backed international climate funds
● Clean Technology Fund (CTF):
● It aims at empowering transformation in developing countries by providing
resources to scale up low carbon technologies.
● Climate Investment Funds (CIFs):
● It aims to accelerate climate action by empowering transformations in clean
technology, energy access, climate resilience, and sustainable forests in
developing and middle-income countries.
● UN- Reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation
(REDD): It aims to protect forests, a pre-eminent nature-based solution to
the climate emergency.

● Net Zero Asset Owner Alliance:
● It has 29 members, including pension funds, insurance companies, and
sovereign wealth funds, and is working on substantial methodologies to
align portfolios with net zero Paris targets.
● International Climate Initiative
● International Climate Initiative (IKI) is one of the most important
instruments of the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature
Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer protection (BMUV) for the
international financing of climate change mitigation and biodiversity.
● IKI operates within the framework of the UNFCCC and the Convention on
Biological Diversity (CBD), financing climate change mitigation and
biodiversity conservation in developing, emerging and transition countries.
*

● Other International Funds
● Climate Change Fund of Asian Development Bank (ADB):
● It was established in 2008 to facilitate greater investments in developing
member countries (DMCs) to effectively address the causes and
consequences of climate change, by strengthening support to low-carbon
and climate-resilient development.
● Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF):
● It is a global partnership of governments, businesses, civil society, and
Indigenous Peoples focused on reducing emissions from deforestation and
forest degradation, forest carbon stock conservation, the sustainable
management of forests, and the enhancement of forest carbon stocks in
developing countries, activities commonly referred to as REDD+.
⑧->
Members
outside
asia?
-*

● Other National and local Sources of raising finances
● Allocations from National Governments:
● For example, National Adaptation Fund for Climate Change (NAFCC) is a
Central Sector Scheme which was set up in the year 2015-16 to support
concrete adaptation activities which mitigate the adverse effects of climate
change.
● Carbon pricing instruments:
● These include a carbon market approach (where an Emissions Trading
Scheme is established, and carbon credits are bought and sold based on a
market price per tCO2e); Carbon emissions tax approach (that can also be
in the form of a fossil fuel tax or removal of fossil fuel subsidies) etc.

● Rio+10
● As a follow-up to UNCED, the World Summit on Sustainable Development
(Rio+10) was held in 2002 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
● Rio+10 affirmed the UN commitment to Agenda 21 alongside the
Millennium Development Goals(MDGs). (formed by UNGA)
● MDGs were established following the Millennium Summit of the United
Nations in 2000 consisting of 8 goals to be achieved by 2015
● The ensuing Johannesburg Declaration committed the nations of the world
towards sustainable development.

● Rio+20
● In 2012, the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development
(Rio+20/Rio Earth Summit 2012) was also held in Rio, Brazil.
● The issues touched included:
● checking production of toxic components, such as lead in gasoline and
radioactive chemicals,
● alternative sources of energy to replace the use of fossil fuels,
● reliance on public transportation, congestion in cities,
● the health problems caused by pollution, and
● the growing usage and limited supply of water.
-
Greenomy

● The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were born at Rio+20.
● Since 2015, Sustainable Development Goals have been included in the
Agenda 2030.
● Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE)
● PAGE, launched in 2013, is a direct response to the Rio+20 Declaration,
The Future We Want.
● The partnership brings together five United Nations agencies; UNEP,
UNDP, ILO, UNIDO (UN Industrial Development Organization), and
UNITAR (United Nations Institute for Training and Research)
● It seeks to assist countries in achieving SDG (2030 Agenda), especially
SDG 8: "Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth,
full and productive employment.”

● The Dublin Principles pertaining to importance of water as a resource for
environmental protection and human development, were presented at the
conference.

● Stockholm+50
● Context
● Recently, Stockholm+50 meeting was held at Stockholm, Sweden to
commemorate the 50 years since the 1972 United Nations Conference on
the Human Environment (also known as the Stockholm Conference), which
made the environment a pressing global issue for the first time.
● Stockholm+50 theme: A healthy planet for the prosperity of all — our
responsibility, our opportunity.
● Stockholm+50 agenda:
● To share experiences and initiatives to protect the planet.
● Sustainable recovery from the COVID -19 pandemic.
Funding?
A
erincipethe

● High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF)
● It is a forum under the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
tasked with overseeing the outcomes of the 1992 Earth Summit.
● HLPF meets both under the General Assembly every 4 years and the
ECOSOC in other years.
● It is responsible for the follow up and the review of progress of
implementation of the following:
○ Agenda 21
○ Johannesburg Declaration (Rio+10)
○ Rio+20

UNFCCC
● United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is an
international environmental treaty that came into existence under the aegis of the UN.
● It was negotiated in 1992 in New York City and was signed in 1992 at the Rio Earth
Summit (UNCED).
● As of Feb 2023, the UNFCCC has 198 parties.
● Objective: It stabilises greenhouse gas (GHG) concentrations in the atmosphere at a level
that would prevent dangerous consequences.
● Legal Effect: It is considered legally non-binding. It provides a framework for negotiating
specific international treaties (called "protocols") that aim to set binding limits on
greenhouse gases (GHGs). (UNFCCC itself sets no binding limits)

Conferences of the Parties (COP) to UNFCCC

wereelse?
-

● The COP is the decision-making body of UNFCCC. All States that are Parties to the
Convention are represented at the COP. They review the implementation of any legal
instruments that the COP adopts. They promote the effective implementation of the
Convention.
● The parties to the convention met annually from 1995 till 2019. The 2020 COP was
rescheduled to 2021.
● Last COP was held in Sharm-El-Shaikh (Egypt).

Kyoto Protocol (COP 3; UNFCCC 1997)
● The Kyoto Protocol was adopted in Kyoto, Japan, in 1997.
● It came into force in 2005. It is the only global treaty with binding limits on GHG
emissions. There are currently 192 Parties to the Kyoto Protocol.
● India ratified in 2002, the USA never ratified, and Canada withdrew in 2012.
● Goal: Fight global warming by reducing greenhouse gases (GHGs) concentrations in the
atmosphere to “a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the
climate system.”
● Kyoto protocol is based on the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities. It
aimed to cut GHG emissions across the developed world by about 5% by 2012 compared
with 1990 level.
● The Kyoto Protocol legally binds developed country Parties to emission reduction targets.
The Protocol’s first commitment period started in 2008 and ended in 2012. The second
commitment period began on 1 January 2013 and will end in 2020.
PMFIAS: Page 436-444

Kyoto Protocol
● Kyoto Protocol Targets for the first commitment period
● The targets for the first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol cover emissions of
the six main greenhouse gases, namely:
● Carbon dioxide (CO2);
● Methane (CH4);
● Nitrous oxide (N2O);
● Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs);
● Perfluorocarbons (PFCs); and
● Sulphur hexafluoride (SF6)

Kyoto Protocol
Common but Differentiated Responsibilities
● CBDR (Kyoto Protocol) puts the obligation to reduce current emissions on developed
countries on the basis that they are historically responsible for the current levels of
GHGs in the atmosphere.
Differentiated Responsibilities
● Under CBDR, developed countries like the US, UK, Russia etc., must contribute more
to reduce GHGs by accepting certain binding limits on GHG emissions. They must
contribute funds towards reducing GHG emissions to developing and least developed
countries (LDCs).
● Developing and least developed countries (LDCs) should do everything they can to cut
down their GHG emissions. But nothing is binding on them, and every initiative is
voluntary.

Kyoto Protocol
Classification of Parties under the Kyoto Protocol

Kyoto Protocol

Kyoto Protocol
Flexible Market Mechanisms Under Kyoto Protocol
● Countries bound to Kyoto targets have to meet them largely through domestic action
— that is, to reduce their emissions onshore. But they can meet part of their targets
through three “market-based mechanisms”:
a. Clean Development Mechanism (CDM)
b. Emission Trading
c. Joint Implementation (JI)

Kyoto Protocol
Clean Development Mechanism (CDM)
● CDM allows a country with an emission-reduction commitment under the Kyoto
Protocol (Annex B Party like Australia) to implement an emission-reduction project
in developing countries (like India).
● Such projects can earn certified emission reduction (CER) credits, each equivalent
to one tonne of CO2, which can be counted towards meeting Kyoto targets.
● In simple terms, developed countries emit more and lose carbon credits. They
provide financial assistance to developing and LDCs to create clean energy and gain
some carbon credits, thereby meeting their Kyoto Quota (Kyoto units) emissions
without violations.

Kyoto Protocol
Clean Development Mechanism (CDM)
● Suppose a developed country has a Kyoto Quota of 100 Carbon Credits, then it can
emit 100 tonnes of CO2.
● Due to negligence, it emits 110 tonnes of CO2, i.e., 10 carbon credits are lost (Kyoto
Quota violation). The country must compensate for its lost carbon credits to avoid
penalties.
● So, It invests some money (equal to 10 carbon credits) in developing and LDCs to build
clean energy infrastructure like solar plants, wind farms etc. and will make up for its 10
lost carbon credits and avoid penalty
● Two percent share of proceeds of Certified Emission Reductions (CERs) issued under
the Protocol’s Clean Development Mechanism projects are used to finance Adaptation
Fund.[Adaptation Fund has been discussed in earlier slides]

Kyoto Protocol
Joint Implementation (JI)
● The mechanism known as “joint implementation” allows a country with an
emission reduction commitment under the Kyoto Protocol (Annex B Party) to
earn emission reduction units (ERUs) from an emission reduction project in
another Annex B Party, each equivalent to one tonne of CO2, which can be
counted towards meeting its target.
● Joint implementation offers Parties a flexible and cost-efficient means of
fulfilling a part of their Kyoto commitments, while the host Party benefits from
foreign investment and technology transfer.

Kyoto Protocol
Carbon Credits Trading (Carbon/Emission Trading)
Carbon credit
● A carbon credit (a carbon offset) is a tradable certificate or permit.
● One carbon credit is equal to one tonne of carbon dioxide.
● Carbon credits or offsets can be acquired through afforestation, renewable energy,
CO2 sequestration, methane capture, buying from an exchange (carbon credits
trading), etc.

Kyoto Protocol
Carbon trading
● Carbon trading is the name given to the exchange of emission permits (carbon credits).
This exchange may take place within the economy or may take the form of
international transaction.
● Under the Carbon Credits Trading mechanism, countries that emit more carbon than
the quota allotted to them buy carbon credits from those that emit less.
● In Carbon trading, one credit gives the country or a company the right to emit one
tonne of CO2.
● Carbon credits are traded at various exchanges across the world. The
Multi-Commodity Exchange of India launched futures trading in carbon credits in
2009.

Kyoto Protocol
What is traded under Emission Trading Mechanism?
● Parties with commitments under the Kyoto Protocol (Annex B Parties) have accepted
targets for limiting or reducing emissions. These targets are expressed as levels of
allowed emissions, or assigned amounts,at over the 2008-2012 commitment period.
The allowed emissions are divided into assigned amount units (AAUs).
● Emissions trading, as set out in Article 17 of the Kyoto Protocol, allows countries that
have emission units to spare - emissions permitted them but not "used" - to sell this
excess capacity to countries that are over their targets.
Other Traded Units:
● A removal unit (RMU) on the basis of land use, land-use change and forestry
(LULUCF) activities such as reforestation
● Emission reduction unit (ERU) generated by a joint implementation project
● Certified emission reduction (CER) generated from a clean development mechanism
project activity
->
I/CDM

Kyoto Protocol
Types of Carbon Trading
Emission trading/’cap-and-trade’ Offset Trading/Carbon
Project/’baseline-and credit’
Sell/purchase Create
Emissions trading allows countries to
sell unused emission units to countries
that have exceeded their targets.
Carbon is tracked and traded like any
other commodity in a "carbon market."
It is to be earned by a country by
investing some amount of money in
such projects, known as carbon
projects, which will emit a lesser
amount of GHGs into the atmosphere

Kyoto Protocol
Types of Carbon Trading
Emission trading/’cap-and-trade’ Offset Trading/Carbon
Project/’baseline-and credit’
Carbon offsetting is effective if projects
are additional, permanent, meet certain
key criteria and project standards, and
do not engage in greenwashing.
Improper reporting and discrepancies
in maximum GHG levels between
countries limits cap and trade
effectiveness on a global scale.
Trading of Assigned Amount Units
amount to this.
Trading of Removal unit (RMU),
Certified Emissions Reductions (CER)
will be included here.

Kyoto Protocol
Non-Compliance of Kyoto and Penalties
● If a country does not meet the requirements for measurements and reporting, the
country loses the privilege of gaining credit through joint implementation projects.
● If a country goes above its emissions cap and does not try to make up the difference
through any of the mechanisms available, then said the country must make up the
difference plus an additional thirty per cent during the next period.
● The country could also be banned from participating in the 'cap and trade' program

Post Kyoto Protocol UNFCCC Summits
Bali (Indonesia) CCC 2007 (COP 13; CMP 3)
● Governments adopted the Bali Road Map
● The Bali Road Map included the Bali Action Plan, which charts the course
for a new negotiating process designed to tackle climate change.
● The Bali Action Plan was a comprehensive process to enable the full,
effective and sustained implementation of the Convention through
long-term cooperative action, now, up to and beyond 2012.
PMFIAS: 445

Poznan (Poland) CCC 2008 (COP 14; CMP 4)
● It launched the Adaptation Fund under the Kyoto Protocol.
● The Fund is financed partly by the government and private donors and
also from a 2% share of proceeds of Certified Emission Reductions
(CERs) issued under Clean Development Mechanism projects.

Copenhagen (Denmark) CCC 2009 (COP 15; CMP 5)
● The Copenhagen Accord included the goal of limiting the maximum
global average temperature increase to no more than 2°C above
pre-industrial levels, subject to review in 2015.
● Developed countries promised to provide US$30 billion for the period
2010-2012 and to mobilize long-term finance of a further US$100 billion a
year by 2020.

Cancún (Mexico) CCC 2010 (COP 16; CMP 6)
● Parties agreed to commit to a maximum temperature rise of 2°C above
pre-industrial levels and to consider lowering that maximum to 1.5°C in
the near future.
● Parties agreed to establish a Green Climate Fund (GCF) to finance
projects, programmes, policies and other activities in developing
countries via thematic funding windows.
● Government of India also agreed to include carbon capture and storage
(CCS) in the projects under the Clean Development Mechanism
(CDM), subject to technical and safety standards

Durban (Denmark) CCC 2011 (COP 17; CMP 7)
● Decided to adopt a universal legal agreement on climate change no later
than 2015.
● Second phase of the Kyoto Protocol was secured.
● Approved the Governing Instrument for the Green Climate Fund (GCF)

Doha (Qatar) CCC 2012 (COP 18; CMP 8)
● COP18 reached an agreement to extend the life of the Kyoto Protocol,
which had been due to expire at the end of 2012 until 2020 (second
commitment period 2013-20).
● The extension of the Kyoto Protocol until 2020 limited in scope to only
15% of the global CO2 emissions. This was due to the lack of
participation of Canada, Japan, Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, and New
Zealand (they all refused to join the second commitment period under the
Kyoto Protocol) and the United States (never ratified Kyoto).
● Also, developing countries like China, India and Brazil are not subject to
emission reductions under the Kyoto Protocol.
-> Doha amendment.

Warsaw (Poland) CCC 2013 (COP 19; CMP 9)
● The term Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDC) was
coined in Warsaw.
● Further, the Warsaw Mechanism was proposed, which would provide
expertise, and possibly aid, to developing nations to cope with loss and
damage from such natural extremities as heatwaves, droughts and floods
and threats such as rising sea levels and desertification.

Lima (Peru) CCC 2014 (COP 20; CMP 10)
● The overarching goal of the conference is to reduce GHGs to limit the
global temperature increase by 2030 to 2°C above the 1850 baseline
or pre-industrial era.
● The agreement urged parties to take national pledges by finalising their
Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDC) by November
2015 (before Paris Summit).

Paris Agreement
Why Paris Deal?
● All the significant agreements and decisions were reserved for Paris
Summit 2015. It is the most crucial conference post-Kyoto because of the
INDC commitments made by major polluters.
● The conference’s objective is to achieve a legally binding and universal
agreement on climate to be signed in 2015 and implemented by 2020.
● Before the conference, 146 national climate panels publicly presented
draft national climate contributions (INDCs).
● However, no detailed timetable or country-specific goals for emissions
were incorporated into the Paris Agreement (as opposed to the previous
Kyoto Protocol with specific deadlines).
PMF: Page:
447

Paris Agreement
● COP21 negotiated the Paris Agreement, a global agreement on reducing
climate change. It entered into force in November 2016 after ratification
by 55 countries that account for at least 55% of global emissions had
been met.
● Signatories: 195 as of 2023; 180+ countries have ratified; India signed
and ratified in 2016.
● The expected key result was an agreement to set a goal of limiting global
warming to "well below 2°C" compared to pre-industrial levels.
● The agreement calls for zero net anthropogenic GHG emissions to be
reached during the second half of the 21st century.

Paris Agreement
● According to the adopted version of the Paris Agreement, the parties will
also "pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 °C.” The
1.5 °C goal will require zero-emissions sometime between 2030 and
2050.
● The developed countries reaffirmed the commitment to mobilise $100
billion a year in climate finance by 2020 and agreed to continue it further
until 2025.
● In 2017, the US announced that it would cease all participation in the
2015 Paris Agreement. In accordance with Article 28 of the Paris
Agreement, it remained a signatory till November 2020.
↳ us also
pulled
out
of?

Paris Agreement

Paris Agreement
Paris Rulebook
● The Paris rulebook is a legally binding international treaty on climate change.
● The Paris Rulebook is a set of guidelines and procedures that were adopted at the
24th Conference of Parties (COP 24) to the United Nations Framework Convention
on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 2018. The Paris Rulebook provides details on
how countries will measure, report, and verify their greenhouse gas emissions
reductions and their progress towards meeting the goals set out in the Paris
Agreement.
● The Paris rule book governs how the world community of 191 countries must
pledge emissions reduction targets under the Paris Agreement and report on their
progress. In signing the Paris rulebook, the 191 countries agreed that they would
limit the rise in global temperatures to 1.5-2°C by 2030.
ChatGPT

Paris Agreement
Global Stocktake
● The Global Stocktake is a process established under the Paris Agreement on
climate change. It is a periodic review of collective progress towards achieving the
agreement's long-term goals, including the goal of keeping global temperature rise
well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and pursuing efforts to
limit it to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
● The Global Stocktake is designed to take place every five years, starting in 2023,
and will assess the collective progress of all countries in implementing their
nationally determined contributions (NDCs) and the overall progress towards
achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement.

Article 6 of the Paris Agreement and Carbon Pricing
● Under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, countries agreed to set up a new
global carbon market system (for trading of carbon emissions) to help
countries decarbonise their economies at lower cost.
● Article 6 aims at promoting integrated, holistic and balanced approaches
that will assist governments in implementing their NDCs through
voluntary International cooperation.

Article 6 contains three separate mechanisms for "voluntary cooperation":
● International Transfer Mitigation Outcomes (ITMO): Article 6.2 (Market
based mechanism) allows countries to strike direct bilateral and voluntary
agreements to trade carbon units (that are in excess of their NDCs Targets).
● Sustainable Development Mechanism (SDM): Article 6.4 (Market based
mechanism) creates a centralized governance system for public and the private
sector to trade emissions reduction anywhere in the world. , is due to replace the
Clean Development Mechanism (CDM).
● Non Market based mechanism: Article 6.8 develops a framework for
cooperation between countries to reduce emissions outside market mechanisms,
such as developmental aid (ie. where no trade is involved). This cooperation
mechanism, if properly designed, should make it easier to achieve reduction
targets and raise ambition.
● These systems are more transparent than mechanisms under Kyoto Protocol.

● In particular, Article 6 could also establish a policy foundation for an
emissions trading system, which could help lead to a global price on
carbon.
● Under this mechanism, countries with low emissions would be allowed
to sell their exceeding allowance to larger emitters, with an overall cap of
greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, ensuring their net reduction.
● Supply and demand for emissions allowances would lead to the
establishment of a global carbon price that would tie the negative
externalities of GHG emissions to polluters. In other words, by paying a
price on carbon, states exceeding their NDCs would bear the costs of
global warming.
tax
- on
-
ve
externalities.
↳
Polluter
pays

● Resolution of issue of double counting (at CoP 26)
● Double counting refers to the situation where two countries, or more
generally speaking, two parties, claim the same carbon removal or emission
reduction.
● The issue of double counting from now on will be addressed by the means
of “corresponding adjustments” of national carbon inventories.
● This means that if one country uses a carbon offset to reduce its carbon
footprint, the credit cannot be claimed by another nation.
● The Article 6 rules thereby allow the nation, which is hosting the offsetting
project, to make the ultimate decision whether the emission reductions will
be counted towards its own targets or sold to another nation.
● In any way, the country hosting the offsetting project has to notify a UN
supervisory board.

Carbon Tax
● A carbon tax imposes a tax on each unit of GHG emissions and gives countries
an incentive to reduce pollution whenever doing so would cost less than paying
the tax.
● A carbon tax is proposed in many developed and developing countries.
However, The proposal has faced severe political resistance (politician –
corporate nexus; people fear more burden).
PMFIAS: 442

Carbon Tax
● Budget of 2010-11 introduced a Clean Energy Cess of Rs. 50 per tonne on
both domestically produced and imported coal. Later it was increased to Rs.
100.
● With the introduction of the Goods and Service Tax (GST), the Clean Energy
Cess was abolished.
● A new cess on coal production, called the GST Compensation Cess of Rs. 400
per tonne is put in place. This cess is used to raise revenues for the National
Clean Energy Fund.
National Clean Energy Fund (NCEF)
● NCEF is a fund created in 2010-11 to allocate Clean Energy Cess (later GST
Compensation Cess) for funding research and innovative projects in clean
energy technologies of public or private sector entities, up to the extent of 40%
of the total project cost.
● The Fund is designed as a non-lapsable fund under Public Accounts and with
its secretariat in the Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance.

Carbon Tax
Carbon Tax (price instrument) Carbon Trading (quantity instrument)
A pure carbon tax fixes the price of
carbon but allows the amount of
carbon emissions to vary.
A pure carbon cap places a limit on
carbon emissions, letting the market price
of carbon credits vary.
A carbon tax directly establishes a
price on GHGs. (One has to pay for
every ton of emissions)
Carbon Trading program issues a set
number of emissions “allowances” each
year. (One has to pay only after they
exceed their emissions quota)
PMFIAS: 443

Carbon Tax
Carbon Tax (price instrument) Carbon Trading (quantity instrument)
Carbon tax ensures everyone knows
the price being paid for each unit of
carbon dioxide emitted, but
uncertainty remains about the actual
quantity of emissions.
Conversely, cap-and-trade provides
certainty about the quantity of emissions
(it cannot exceed the cap), but uncertainty
about the cost of achieving these
reductions.
A carbon tax offers stable carbon
prices, so energy producers and
entrepreneurs can make investment
decisions without fear of fluctuating
regulatory costs
The regulatory costs are always
fluctuating, and hence making investment
decisions is fraught with risks.

Carbon Trading
PT23: PG23

Carbon Trading

Carbon Trading
Digital Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (D-MRV) Systems
● With growing interest of countries to participate in carbon markets
to meet their climate change goals, innovative D-MRV are
evolving to track reductions in GHG emissions.
● Represent the first step in end-to-end digitalization of post-2020
carbon markets.
● Based on AI, machine learning, blockchain, smart sensors, drones
etc.

Carbon Trading
● The central government is considering implementation of a carbon trading
scheme that will subsume all carbon trading mechanisms in India.
● The government proposes to begin with a voluntary carbon market and
gradually shift to 'cap and trade', where industries are given emission targets
like in EU emission trading system markets.

Carbon Neutrality
● Net zero means the amount of GHGs emitted into the atmosphere is less
than the amount taken out.
● Similarly, Carbon Neutrality (Net Zero Carbon Footprint) refers to
achieving net zero CO2 emissions.
● The global emissions of GHGs need to be cut by 45 per cent by 2030 and
become net zero by 2050 to keep warming below 1.5°C as decided under
the Paris Agreement.
PMFIAS: 452

Carbon Neutrality
How Can Net Zero Emissions Be Achieved?
● Clean coal technology to reduce CO2 in the atmosphere (short-term
measure). Carbon sequestration (long-term sustainable measure)
● Afforestation: Forests as carbon Sinks (long-term sustainable measure)
● Geoengineering to fight climate change (last resort superhuman options)
● Electric Mobility and Renewable Energy (prevention is better than cure
option)
● Carbon Trading and Carbon Tax (long-term measure)
● To contain carbon emissions, UNFCCC summits have arrived at the
“polluter pays” principle by placing a price on carbon dioxide and other
greenhouse gas emissions.
● The “polluter pays” principle can be implemented through a Carbon Tax or
Carbon Trading.

Carbon Neutrality

Carbon Neutrality
● The nondescript hamlet of Palli in
Jammu and Kashmir's border district of
Samba became country's first "carbon
neutral panchayat".
● 500 kV solar plant will provide clean
electricity to houses in the model
panchayat.
● The village, which has 450 houses, have
been given solar 'Chulhas' (stoves) and
all the houses.

Carbon Neutrality
● Climate Neutral Now
● Climate Neutral Now was launched by the UNFCCC secretariat in 2015. It is
aiming at encouraging and supporting all levels of society to take climate action to
achieve a climate-neutral world by mid-century, as enshrined in the Paris Agreement.
● Climate neutrality is a three-step process, which requires individuals, companies and
governments to:
1. Measure their climate footprint;
2. Reduce their emissions as much as possible;
3. Offset what they cannot reduce with UN-certified emission reductions
PMFIAS: 450

Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)
● It is a plan from the European Union (EU), proposed in 2021.
● It will tax carbon-intensive products, such as iron and steel, cement,
fertilizer, aluminium, electricity, and hydrogen, from 2026.
● It aims to eliminate the difference in carbon price paid by companies subjected
to the EU’s Emissions Trading System (ETS) or its domestic compliance-based
carbon market.
● It is the part of the “Fit for 55 in 2030 package”.
○ Fit for 55: EU’s plan to reduce GHG emissions by at least 55% by 2030
compared to 1990 levels, in line with the European Climate Law.
PT: Page 17

India
oposed

COP26 of UNFCCC
PT22: Page 9

Initiatives signed by India at COP26

Major Initiatives launched at COP26
GLOBAL RESILIENCE INDEX INITIATIVE (GRII)
● Launched by 10 global organisations. (Including Coalition for Disaster
Resilience Infrastructure, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk
Reduction.)
Goals of GRI:
● Offer global open reference risk data using metrics built on insurance risk
modelling principles;
● Provide shared standards and facilities applicable to a wide range of uses,
● including corporate climate risk disclosure, national adaptation planning and
reporting, and the planning of prearranged humanitarian finance.

INFRASTRUCTURE FOR RESILIENT ISLAND STATES (IRIS)
● Launched by India, along with Australia, UK, Fiji, Jamaica and Jamaica.
● It has been co-created by the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure
(CDRI) with support from Member Countries and organizations and Small
Island Developing States (SIDS) representatives.
● It is a dedicated initiative that will provide technical support on the
multifaceted issues posed by infrastructure systems and promote disaster and
climate resilience of infrastructure assets in SIDS, and share latest knowledge
and learnings targeted to specific infrastructure sectors.

INFRASTRUCTURE FOR RESILIENT ISLAND STATES (IRIS)
IRIS targets to deliver three intended outcomes as:
● Improve resilience of SIDS infrastructure to climate change and disaster risk.
● Strengthen knowledge and partnerships for integrating resilience in SIDS
infrastructure.
● Promote gender equality and disability inclusion through resilient SIDS
infrastructure.
Small island developing states (SIDS), comprising countries in the Caribbean,
Pacific, Atlantic, Indian Ocean, Mediterranean and South China Sea regions, are
among the most vulnerable to geophysical and hydro-meteorological hazards.

THE GREEN GRIDS INITIATIVE-ONE SUN ONE WORLD ONE GRID
PROJECT
● It was a multi-layered dialogue between the OSOWOG initiative by India in
partnership with COP26 Presidency, International Solar Alliance (ISA), World
Bank, UK government and Wilton Park.
● It is India’s initiative to build a global ecosystem of interconnected renewable
energy resources that connects 140 countries through a common grid.
● The blueprint for the OSOWOG has been developed under the World Bank’s
technical assistance programme.
● Implementation is divided into three main phases
○ Phase 1 ensures interconnectivity in the Asian continent.
○ Phase 2 connects the functional first phase to the pool of renewable
resources in Africa.
○ Phase 3 aims to achieve a global interconnection.

COP27 of UNFCCC
● It aims to build on previous successes, including the Glasgow
Climate Pact of COP26 and pave the way for higher ambition
on mitigation, adaptation and climate finance, with focus on loss
and damage.
● It also included the 17th session of the COP serving as the
meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (CMP 17), and the
fourth session of the COP serving as the meeting of the Parties
to the Paris Agreement (CMA 4).
● Concluded with release of Sharm el-Sheikh Implementation
Plan.

COP27 of UNFCCC
PT23: 10

COP27 of UNFCCC

Initiatives launched at COP27 of UNFCCC (Read Once)

Initiatives launched at COP27 of UNFCCC (Read Once)
Environment & Ecology by Dr. Shivin Chaudhary
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Initiatives launched at COP27 of UNFCCC
Environment & Ecology by Dr. Shivin Chaudhary
Click Here to Learn More

COP28 of UNFCCC
The 2023 UN Climate Change Conference will convene from 30 November to
12 December 2023 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
It will comprise:
● the 28th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 28);
● the fifth meeting of the COP serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the
Paris Agreement (CMA 5);
● the 18th meeting of the COP serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the
Kyoto Protocol (CMP 18)
The first Global Stocktake of the implementation of the Paris Agreement will
conclude at COP 28.

India’s INDC objectives
● During Warsaw Summit 2013 (COP 19), countries agreed to publicly outline
what actions they intend to take under a global agreement well before the Paris
Summit 2015. These country commitments are known as Intended Nationally
Determined Contributions (INDCs).
● India’s three INDC objectives were announced in October 2015 (the Lima
summit urged every country to announce its INDCs by Nov 2015).
1. Reduce the emissions intensity of its GDP by 33-35% by 2030, below 2005
levels.
2. Achieve 40% of its total electricity capacity from renewables.
3. Create an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of CO2 through
afforestation by 2030

In 2021, the Prime Minister of India had announced a new 5-point set of targets at
COP-26 (Panchamrit):
1. India will increase its non-fossil fuel energy capacity to 500 gigawatt (GW) by
2030;
2. It will meet 50% of its energy requirements from renewable sources by 2030;
3. The total projected carbon emissions will be reduced by 1 billion tonnes from
now through 2030;
4. The carbon intensity of its economy will be brought down to less than 45%;
5. India will achieve its target of Net Zero by 2070.

India’s updated NDCs
● It is prepared after carefully considering India’s national circumstances and the
principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective
capabilities (CBDR-RC).
● It represents the framework for India’s transition to cleaner energy for the
period 2021- 2030.
● It updates two of the three quantitative targets of 2015 NDCs related to
emissions intensity and share of non-fossil fuels in installed electricity
capacity.
● Two panchamrita commitments (promises made during COP26 in Glasgow)
not converted into official targets i.e,
○ 500 GW non fossil fuel energy &
○ emissions of at least one billion tonnes of carbon dioxide by 2030.

Targets for 2030 Previous NDC, 2015 Updated NDC,
2022
Reduce the emissions intensity of its GDP By 33 to 35% by 2030
from 2005 level.
By 45% by 2030
from 2005 level
Cumulative electric power installed capacity
About 40% from non-fossil fuel-based energy
resources with the help of transfer of
technology and low-cost international finance
including from Green Climate Fund (GCF).
40% 50%
Create an additional carbon sink through
additional forest and tree cover.
2.5 to 3 billion tonnes
of Co2 equivalent
Same as earlier

Previous NDC, 2015 Updated NDC, 2022
Put forward and further propagate a healthy and
sustainable way of living based on traditions and
values of conservation and moderation.
Put forward and further propagate a healthy and
sustainable way of living based on traditions and
values of conservation and moderation,
including through a mass movement for 'LIFE'-
'Lifestyle for Environment' as a key to combating
climate change.
Adopt a climate friendly and a cleaner path than
the one followed hitherto by others at
corresponding level of economic development.
Same

Previous NDC, 2015 Updated NDC, 2022
Better adapt to climate change by enhancing investments in
development programmes in sectors vulnerable to climate change,
particularly agriculture, water resources, Himalayan region, coastal
regions, health and disaster management.
Same
Mobilize domestic and new & additional funds from developed countries
to implement the above mitigation and adaptation actions in view of the
resource required and the resource gap.
Same
Build capacities, create domestic framework and international
architecture for quick diffusion of cutting edge climate technology in
India and for joint collaborative R&D for such future technologies.
Same as earlier

Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy
● India has submitted its Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy
(LTLEDS) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
(UNFCCC) recently.
● It lays out the steps to achieve net zero carbon emission by 2070.
● Rests on 7 key transitions to low-carbon development pathways.
Low carbon pathway
● A low carbon pathway refers to a way of reducing or minimizing the amount
of carbon emissions produced by human activities, particularly those
associated with energy production, transportation, and industry.
● It involves transitioning to cleaner and more sustainable sources of energy,
such as renewable energy sources like solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal
power, as well as increasing energy efficiency and reducing energy demand.

● Formulated under paris agreement article 4.19
● Not mandatory, unlike NDCs
● Broader in scope than NDCs as they also incorporate developmental goals.

Measures to Regulate Ozone-Depleting Substances
Vienna Convention and Montreal Protocol
● The Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer (Vienna
Convention) was agreed in 1985.
● It established global monitoring and reporting on ozone depletion. It also
created a framework for the development of protocols for taking more
binding action.
● It aimed at:
○ Promoting research and monitoring of human activities on the
ozone layer.
○ Taking concrete action against activities with adverse effects on
ozone layer.

Montreal Protocol on Ozone-Depleting Substances
● The Montreal Protocol under the Vienna Convention was agreed in
1987.
● It facilitates global cooperation in reversing the rapid decline in
atmospheric concentrations of stratospheric ozone (good ozone).
● Under the protocol countries agreed to phase out the production and
consumption of certain chemicals that deplete ozone.
● The Vienna Convention and its Montreal Protocol are the first and only
global environmental treaties to achieve universal ratification, with 197
parties.
● As a result of the international agreement, the ozone hole in Antarctica is
slowly recovering because of the decrease in the overall concentration of
stratospheric ODS. Climate projections indicate that the ozone layer will
return to 1980 levels between 2050 and 2070.

India and Montreal Protocol
● India became Party to the Vienna Convention and the Montreal Protocol
in 1991 and 1992 respectively.
● India has proactively phased out the production and consumption of
CFCs except use in Metered Dose Inhalers (MDIs) used for treatment
of Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
ailments from 2008. Subsequently, the use of CFCs in MDIs has been
phased out from 2012.
● An Ozone Cell has been setup (under the Environment Ministry) as a
National Ozone Unit (NOU) to render necessary services for effective
and timely implementation of the Montreal Protocol and its ODS phase
out program in India.

Kigali Amendment to Montreal Protocol
● The Kigali Agreement was adopted in 2016 to phase-down
hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).
● It entered into force in 2019.
● It divides nations into 3 groups with a four-step path to achieve 80%
reduction in HFCs consumption by 2047.
● It is a legally binding agreement designed to create rights and obligations
in international law.
● Up till July 2021, 122 countries have ratified the Kigali amendment.
● Being under Group 2, India will develop its national strategy for phasing
down of Hydrofluorocarbons by 2023 (after consultation with industry
stakeholders).

Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)
● Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) are used as an alternative to CFCs and
HCFCs/HBFCs.
● HFCs do not contribute to ozone depletion.
● However, they are potent greenhouse gases with high global warming potential.
India’s position
● India has agreed on a lenient schedule as it consumes only 3% of HFCs
compared to other nations like the USA (37%) and China (25%).
● India has to reduce its HFC use by 80 % by the year 2047, while China and the
US have to achieve the same target by the years 2045 and 2034, respectively.
● India will complete its phase-down in 4 steps from 2032 onwards, with a
cumulative reduction of 10% in 2032, 20% in 2037, 30% in 2042 and 85% in
2047.

HFO Alternatives to HFCs
● HFO stands for hydrofluoro olefin. HFO refrigerants are composed of hydrogen,
fluorine & carbon atoms, but contain at least one double bond between the
carbon atoms.

Quito Adjustment
● In 2018, the Quito Adjustment is the adjustment made to the Montreal
Protocol. It aims high to avoid 1ºC of future warming.
● In this, the decision to strengthen enforcement mechanisms of this
accord in response to an unexpected rise in global emissions of the
banned chemical trichlorofluoromethane or CFC-11 was adopted.
● CFC-11 is a chlorofluorocarbon (CFC), which is outlawed for almost all
uses by the 1987 Montreal Protocol.
● But this gas (CFC-11) still contributes one-quarter of all chlorine
reaching the stratosphere. 40 to 60 per cent of total global CFC-11
emissions are coming from China.

REDD and UN-REDD+
UN-REDD REDD+
The UN Programme on Reducing
Emissions from Deforestation and Forest
Degradation (UN-REDD).
Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland.
Membership: 64 Partner Countries.
Reducing emissions from deforestation &
forest degradation
Role: Conservation, sustainable
management of forests and enhancement of
forest carbon stocks in developing countries
It is a multilateral collaborative
programme of FAO, UNDP and UNEP.
It was created in 2008 in response to the
UNFCCC decisions on the Bali Action
Plan and REDD.
Voluntary climate change mitigation
approach that has been developed by Parties
to the UNFCCC.

REDD and UN-REDD+
UN-REDD REDD+
The main goal of REDD is to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions by incentivizing
countries to preserve their forests instead
of cutting them down. The program
achieves this by providing financial
incentives to countries that reduce their
deforestation rates.
REDD+ goes beyond deforestation and
forest degradation and aims to incentivize
developing countries to reduce emissions
from deforestation and forest degradation,
conserve forest carbon stocks, sustainably
manage forests and enhance forest carbon
stocks. The "+" in REDD+ refers to these
additional activities.
REDD+ also includes a stronger emphasis on the involvement of local communities
and indigenous peoples in forest conservation and management, as well as the protection
of biodiversity and ecosystem services.

Other Initiatives
Forest Carbon Partnership Facility
● It is a global partnership of governments, businesses, civil society, and
Indigenous peoples focused on reducing emissions from activities commonly
referred to as REDD+:
1. deforestation and forest degradation, forest carbon stock conservation,
2. the enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing countries,
3. the sustainable management of forests.
● The World Bank assumes the functions of trustee and secretariat. The World
Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank and UNDP are delivery partners
under the Readiness Fund and responsible for providing REDD+ readiness
support.

Other Initiatives
Forest Carbon Partnership Facility
Objectives:
1. To assist countries in their REDD+ efforts by providing them with financial and
technical assistance.
2. To pilot a performance-based payment system for REDD+.
3. To test ways to sustain or enhance livelihoods of local communities and to
conserve biodiversity.
4. To disseminate broadly the knowledge gained in Emission Reductions Programs
(ERPs).

Other Initiatives
Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC)
● In 2012, a few nations, along with the UNEP, came together to form the Climate
and Clean Air Coalition.
● It is a partnership of governments, public and private sector, scientific
institutions, civil society organizations, etc. committed to protecting the climate
through actions to reduce short-lived climate pollutants

Other Initiatives
BioCarbon Fund Initiative
● BioCarbon Fund Initiative for Sustainable Forest Landscapes (ISFL) is a
multilateral fund, supported by donor governments and managed by the World
Bank.
● It seeks to promote reduced GHG emissions from the land sector, from
deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries (REDD+), and from
sustainable agriculture, as well as smarter land-use planning, policies, etc.

Other Initiatives
Cool Coalition
● It aims to inspire ambition and accelerate action on the transition to clean and
efficient cooling.
● It was launched at the first Global Conference on Synergies between the 2030
Agenda and Paris Agreement in 2019.
● It is a global effort led by:
1. UNEP
2. Climate and Clean Air Coalition
3. Kigali Cooling Efficiency Program
4. Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL)

Other Initiatives
Global Climate Change Alliance + (GCCA+)
● GCCA+ is a European Union initiative. It helps vulnerable countries on the front
line of climate change.
● GCCA+ initiatives help mainly Small Islands Developing States (SIDS) and
Least Developed Countries (LDCs) increase their resilience to climate change.
● It also supports these group of countries in implementing their commitments
resulting from the 2015 Paris Agreement (COP21)

Other Initiatives
Global Alliance for Climate-Smart Agriculture (GACSA)
● GACSA is promoted by FAO along with various governments. Its vision is to
improve food security, nutrition and resilience in the face of climate change.
● GACSA works towards three aspirational outcomes to:
a. Improve farmers’ agricultural productivity and incomes in a
sustainable way;
b. Build farmers’ resilience to extreme weather and changing climate;
c. Reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with agriculture, when
possible.

Other Initiatives
GHG Protocol
● GHG Protocol is developing standards, tools and online training that helps
countries, cities and companies track progress towards their climate goals.
● GHG Protocol establishes frameworks to measure and manage greenhouse gas
(GHG) emissions from private and public sector operations, value chains and
mitigation actions.
● GHG Protocol arose when World Resources Institute (WRI) and World Business
Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) recognized the need for an
international standard for corporate GHG accounting and reporting in the late
1990s.

Other Initiatives
Arctic Council
● Arctic Council is an intergovernmental forum promoting cooperation,
coordination and interaction among the Arctic states, Arctic Indigenous
communities and other Arctic inhabitants on common Arctic issues, in particular
on issues of sustainable development and environmental protection in the Arctic.
● The Arctic Council consists of the eight Arctic States: Canada, the Kingdom of
Denmark (including Greenland and the Faroe Islands), Finland, Iceland, Norway,
Russia, Sweden and the United States.

Other Initiatives
Santiago Network
● The vision of the Santiago Network is to catalyze the technical assistance of
relevant organizations, bodies, networks and experts, for the implementation of
relevant approaches for averting, minimize and addressing Loss and Damage at
the local, national and regional level, in developing countries that are particularly
vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change.
● The Santiago Network will connect vulnerable developing countries with
providers of technical assistance, knowledge, resources they need to address
climate risks comprehensively in the context of averting, minimizing and
addressing loss and damage.
● Mandated at COP 25 in Madrid, the Santiago Network will further the work of
the Warsaw International Mechanism for Loss and Damage.

Other Initiatives
Warsaw International Mechanism for Loss and Damage
● The Warsaw International Mechanism for Loss and Damage Associated
with Climate Change Impacts was established at the 19th session of the
Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC (COP 19) in 2013.
● It was mandated to enhance knowledge, strengthen dialogue and
coordination, and enhance action to address loss and damage associated
with the impacts of climate change in vulnerable developing countries.

Reports in News
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
● The IPCC, the UN body for assessing the science related to climate
change.
● It was established by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in 1988.
● The IPCC produces reports that support the UNFCCC.
● IPCC reports cover all relevant information to understand the risk of
human-induced climate change, its potential impacts & options for
adaptation and mitigation.
● The IPCC does not carry out its own original research. Thousands of
scientists and other experts contribute on a voluntary basis.

Reports in News
● The work is shared among three Working Groups (WG), a Task Force and
a Task Group of IPCC:
● WG I aims at assessing the physical scientific basis of the climate system
and climate change.
● WG II assesses the vulnerability of socio-economic and natural systems to
climate change.
● WG III focuses on climate change mitigation, assessing methods for
reducing GHG emissions, and removing greenhouse gases from the
atmosphere.
● The research by the WGs is published by the IPCC at regular intervals as
comprehensive Assessment Reports for the understanding of human-
induced climate change, potential impacts and options for mitigation and
adaptation.

PYQs: Q1
2014
With reference to ‘GEF’, which of the following statements is/are correct?
a) It serves as financial mechanism for ‘Convention on Biological Diversity’ and ‘United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change’.
b) It undertakes scientific research on environmental issues at global level
c) It is an agency under OECD to facilitate the transfer of technology and funds to
underdeveloped countries with specific aim to protect their environment.
d) Both (a) and (b)

PYQs: Q1
Answer: A
● Explanation:
● GEF is an independent financial organisation (not a research body). It may fund scientific
research but is not directly involved in it.
● IPCC takes care of most of the research work.

PYQs: Q2
2016
With reference to ‘Agenda 21’, sometimes seen in the news, consider the following
statements:
1) It is a global action plan for sustainable development.
2) It originated in the World Summit on Sustainable Development held in Johannesburg in 2002.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2

PYQs: Q2
Answer: A
Explanation:
• Agenda 21 came out as a part of Earth Summit 1992.

PYQs: Q3
Consider the below statements about Global Wildlife Programme (GWP):
1) GWP is a CITES led global partnership that promotes wildlife conservation and sustainable
development
by combating illicit trafficking in wildlife.
2) The GWP is funded by the Global Environment Facility.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both
d) None

PYQs: Q3
Answer: b) 2 only
It is a World Bank-led & GEF-funded partnership.

PYQs: Q4
2015
What is Rio+20 Conference, often mentioned in the news?
a) It is the UN Conference on Sustainable Development
b) It is a Ministerial Meeting of the WTO
c) It is a Conference of the IPCC
d) It is a Conference of the Member Countries of the CBD

PYQs: Q4
Answer: a)
Explanation:
Earth Summit 1992 (Rio de Janeiro)- UN Conference on Environment and Development
Earth Summit 2002 (Rio+10) (Johannesburg)- World Summit on Sustainable Development
Earth Summit 2012 (Rio+20) (Rio de Janeiro)- UN Conference on Sustainable Development

PYQs: Q5
2018
The Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE), a UN mechanism to assist
countries in transition towards greener and more inclusive economies, emerged at (2018)
a) The Earth Summit on Sustainable Development 2002, Johannesburg
b) The United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development 2012, Rio de Janeiro
c) The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change 2015, Paris
d) The World Sustainable Development Summit 2016, New Delhi
Answer: b)

PYQs: Q5
Answer: b)

PYQs: Q6
2015
With reference to the IUCN and the CITES, which of the following statements
is/are correct?
1) IUCN is an organ of the United Nations and CITES is an international agreement between governments.
2) IUCN runs thousands of field projects around the world to better manage natural environments.
3) CITES is legally binding on the States that have joined it, but this convention does not take the place of
national laws.
Select the correct using the code given below.
a) 1 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3

PYQs: Q6
Answer: b) 2 and 3 only
IUCN is an NGO. CITES is an international agreement between governments (multilateral
treaty).

PYQs: Q7
2011-12
Regarding "carbon credits", which one of the following statements is not correct?
a) The carbon credit system was ratified in conjunction with the Kyoto Protocol.
b) Carbon credits are awarded to countries or groups that have reduced GHGs below their
emission quota.
c) The goal of the carbon credit system is to limit the increase of carbon emission quota.
d) Carbon credits are traded at a price fixed from time to time by the United Nations
Environment Programme.

PYQs: Q7
Answer: D
Explanation: Carbon credit prices are traded on an exchange. So, their prices are never
fixed.

PYQs: Q8
2015
Which one of the following is associated with the issue of control and phasing out of the
use of ozone-depleting substances?
a) Bretton Woods Conference
b) Montreal Protocol
c) Kyoto Protocol
d) Nagoya Protocol

PYQs: Q8
Answer: B
● Bretton Woods Conference established the International Bank for
Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and the International Monetary
Fund (IMF).
● Montreal Protocol is a legally-binding international treaty to protect the
ozone layer by phasing out the production of ozone depleting substances.
● Kyoto Protocol implemented the objective of the UNFCCC to fight global
warming by reducing GHG concentrations in the atmosphere to “a level
that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate
system”. It is binding on the parties.
● Nagoya Protocol is an agreement to the 1992 CBD on “Access to Genetic
Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits”.

PYQs: Q9
2015
Which of the following statements regarding ‘Green Climate Fund’ is/are
correct?
1) It is intended to assist the developing countries in adaptation and
mitigation practices to counter CC.
2) It is founded under the aegis of UNEP, OECD, Asian Development
Bank and World Bank.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2

PYQs: Q9
Answer: A
● Explanation: GCF is founded under the aegis of UNFCCC COP

PYQs: Q10
2018
Momentum for Change: Climate Neutral Now” is an initiative launched
by
a) The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
b) The UNEP Secretariat
c) The UNFCCC Secretariat
d) The World Meteorological Organisation

PYQs: Q11
Answer: C
● Climate Neutral Now was launched by the UNFCCC secretariat in
2015. It is aiming at encouraging and supporting all levels of society
to take climate action to achieve a climate-neutral world by mid-
century, as enshrined in the Paris Agreement.

PYQs: Q12
2016
Consider the following pairs:
Terms sometimes in the news - Their
origin
1) Annex-I Countries - Cartagena
Protocol
2) Certified Emissions-
Reductions Nagoya Protocol
3) Clean Development Mechanism - Kyoto Protocol
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3

PYQs: Q12
2016
Answer- C) 3 only
Explanation:
Annex-I Countries, Clean Development Mechanism, Certified Emission
Reductions (CERs) or carbon credits are terms associated with the Kyoto
Protocol.

PYQs: Q13
2016
The term ‘INDC’ is sometimes seen in the news in the context of
a) pledges made by the European countries to rehabilitate refugees from
the war-affected Middle East
b) plan of action outlined by the countries of the world to combat
climate change
c) capital contributed by the member countries in the establishment of
Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank
d) plan of action outlined by the countries of the world regarding
Sustainable Development Goals

PYQs: Q13
Answer: B
● Intended nationally determined contribution (INDC) is a non-binding
national plan highlighting climate change mitigation, including
climate-related targets for greenhouse gas emission reductions.

PYQs: Q14
2016
With reference to the Agreement at the UNFCCC
Meeting in Paris in 2015, which of the following
statements is/are correct?
1) The Agreement was signed by all the member
countries of the UN and it will go into effect in 2017.
2) The Agreement aims to limit the greenhouse gas
emissions so that the rise in average global temperature
by the end of this century does not exceed 2 °C or even
1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels.
3) Developed countries acknowledged their historical
responsibility in global warming and committed to
donate $ 1000 billion a year from 2020 to help
developing countries to cope with climate change.
Select the correct answer using
the code given below.
a) 1 and 3 only
b) 2 only
c) 2 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3

PYQs: Q14
Answer: B
● The Agreement will not become binding on its member states until 55
parties who produce over 55% of the world's greenhouse gas have ratified
the Agreement. There is doubt whether some countries, especially the
United States, will agree to do so, though the United States publicly
committed, in a joint Presidential Statement with China, to joining the
Agreement in 2016.

PYQs: Q14
● As of March 2019, 195 UNFCCC members have signed the agreement,
and 185 have become a party to it.
● The Paris Agreement's long-term goal is to keep the increase in global
average temperature to well below 2 °C above pre-industrial levels;
and to limit the increase to 1.5 °C, since this would substantially reduce
the risks and effects of climate change.

PYQs: Q15
2014
Consider the following international agreements:
1) The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and
Agriculture
2) The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification
3) The World Heritage Convention
Which of the above has/have a bearing on the biodiversity?
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 3 only,
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2. and 3

PYQs: Q15
2014
Answer- D) 1,2 and 3

PYQs: Q16
2015
With reference to ‘Forest Carbon Partnership Facility’,
which of the following statements is/are correct?
1) It is global partnership of governments, businesses,
civil society and indigenous peoples.
2) It provides financial aid to universities, individual
scientists and institutions involved in scientific
forestry research to develop eco-friendly and climate
adaptation technologies for sustainable forest
management.
3) It assists the countries in their ‘REDD+ (Reducing
Emission from Deforestation and Forest
Degradation+)’ efforts by providing them with
financial and technical assistance.
Select the correct answer using
the code given below
a) 1 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3

PYQs: Q16
Answer: C
● Explanation: It provides financial incentives to countries in
their REDD+ efforts. There is no mention of assistance to
universities, scientists.

PYQs: Q17
2015
‘BioCarbon Fund Initiative for Sustainable Forest Landscapes’ is
managed by the
a) Asian Development Bank
b) International Monetary Fund
c) United Nations Environment Programme
d) World Bank

PYQs: Q17
Answer: D
● BioCarbon Fund Initiative for Sustainable Forest Landscapes
(ISFL) is a multilateral fund, supported by donor governments
and managed by the World Bank.

PYQs: Q18
2016
What is ‘Greenhouse Gas Protocol’?
a) It is an international accounting tool for government and business leaders
to understand, quantify and man-age greenhouse gas emissions
b) It is an initiative of the United Nations to offer financial incentives to
developing countries to reduce GHG emissions and to adopt eco-friendly
technologies
c) It is an inter-governmental agreement ratified by all the member countries
of the UN to reduce GHG emissions to specified levels by the year 2022
d) It is one of the multilateral REDD+ initiatives hosted by the World Bank

PYQs: Q18
Answer: A
● Greenhouse Gas Protocol is an international accounting tool for
government and business leaders to understand, quantify and man-age
greenhouse gas emissions

PYQs: Q19
2017
Regarding ‘Global CC Alliance’, which of the following statements is/are
correct?
1) It is an initiative of the European Union.
2) It provides technical and financial support to targeted developing
countries to integrate climate change into their development policies and
budgets.
3) It is coordinated by World Resources Institute (WRI) and World
Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD).
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 3 only
c) 2 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3

PYQs: Q19
Answer: A
● The Global Climate Change Alliance (GCCA) was launched in 2007 by
the European Commission to strengthen dialogue and cooperation on
climate change between the European Union (EU) and developing
countries most vulnerable to climate change, in particular Least
Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States
(SIDS), which are hardest hit by the adverse effects of climate change.
● The GCCA acts as a platform for dialogue and exchange of experience
between the EU and developing countries on climate policy and on
practical approaches to integrate climate change into development
policies and budgets.

PYQs: Q19
● The results of dialogue and exchange of views feed into the discussions
on the post-2012 climate agreement under the UN Framework
Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and inform the technical
and financial cooperation supported by the GCCA.
● Discussions take place at global, regional and national levels.
● The GCCA also provides technical and financial support to partner
countries to integrate climate change into their development policies and
budgets, and to implement projects that address climate change on the
ground, promoting climate-resilient, low-emission development.
Technical and financial cooperation, in turn, informs political dialogue
and exchange of experience at regional and global levels.

PYQs: Q20
2014
Consider the following countries:
1) Denmark
2) Japan
3) Russian Federation
4) United Kingdom
5) United States of America
Which of the above are the members of the ‘Arctic Council’?
a) 1, 2 and 3
b) 2, 3 and 4
c) 1, 4 and 5
d) 1, 3 and 5

PYQs: Q20
Answer: D

Lecture 10 - International Conventions Part 1.pdf

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Lecture 10 - International Conventions Part 1.pdf