Syllabus :GS 3/Environment
In News
- Jim Skea, chairperson of the IPCC, stated that the aspiration to limit global warming to 1.5°C is still possible but is “hanging by a slender thread.”
| Do you know? – The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) established in 1988 by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). – It provides scientific information to help governments develop climate policies. – With 195 member countries, the IPCC plays a key role in international climate change negotiations. |
Paris Agreement Adoption
- It is a legally binding international treaty on climate change.
- It was adopted by 196 Parties at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP21) in Paris, France, on 12 December 2015. It entered into force on 4 November 2016.
- It is aimed to combat climate change and accelerate actions towards a sustainable, low-carbon future.
- The main goal is to limit global temperature rise to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, with efforts to further limit it to 1.5°C.
Features
- It focuses on enhancing countries’ ability to cope with climate impacts and aligning financial flows with a low greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and climate-resilient future.
- It includes the provision of financial resources, technology frameworks, and capacity-building to assist developing countries and the most vulnerable nations.
- All Parties are required to submit nationally determined contributions (NDCs) and regularly report their emissions and actions.
- Every 5 years, a global stocktake will assess collective progress and guide future actions.
Current Climate Situation
- The world temporarily exceeded 1.5°C of warming in 2024, highlighting the urgent need for stronger climate action.
- While limiting warming to 1.5°C was once considered achievable, current trends indicate that this goal is slipping away due to insufficient emission reductions, inadequate adaptation measures, and slow progress in climate finance.
| India’s Progress – India has made significant progress in addressing climate change as per the Paris Agreement. – In its 4th Biennial Update Report (BUR-4) submitted in December 2024, India reported a 36% reduction in emission intensity of GDP between 2005 and 2020, compared to its NDC target of 45% by 2030. – India’s non-fossil fuel-based electricity generation capacity reached 47.10% in December 2024, just short of the 50% target for 2030. – Additionally, India has achieved 2.29 billion tonnes of carbon sink through additional forest cover, approaching the 2.5-3.0 billion tonne target by 2030. – India amended the Energy Conservation Act in 2022 to support the development of a carbon market, launching the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS) in 2023. – To align with national climate goals, India plans to transition energy-intensive sectors (such as aluminium, cement, steel, and textiles) from the Perform, Achieve, and Trade (PAT) scheme to the CCTS compliance mechanism. – At the UNEA 2024, India introduced the resolution on sustainable lifestyles, promoting the Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) initiative. |
Conclusion and Way Forward
- Climate change is a global emergency that goes beyond national borders.
- It is an issue that requires international cooperation and coordinated solutions at all levels.
- Since the Paris Agreement, there has been progress in developing low-carbon solutions and new markets.
- By 2030, zero-carbon solutions could become competitive in sectors covering over 70% of global emissions, creating new business opportunities for early adopters.
- The impact of climate change can be mitigated through renewable energy sources like wind and solar energy and by utilizing adaptation strategies.
Source :IE
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