United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 29)

Context

Azerbaijan is the host of the recent United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 29). It aims to prevent geopolitical tensions from affecting the talks.

Conference of the Parties (COP)

• COP is the annual United Nations (UN) climate meeting
• In 1992, at the Rio Earth Summit, 154 nations signed a multilateral treaty known as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
• It aimed to stabilise greenhouse gas concentrations at a stage that might prevent risky anthropogenic (human-prompted) interference with the climate gadget.
• The treaty came into force years later, and as then, nations which can be a part of the UNFCCC, meet every year at exceptional venues.
  • Today, there are 198 ‘parties’ or signatories of the Convention.
• COP was a end result of a strong belief within the energy of international agreements to address environmental issues
• Policymakers of that generation believed in a unified dedication to cope with climate change.
• Their perception turned into bolstered by the fulfillment of:
  • the 1987 Montreal Protocol, an global treaty designed to defend the ozone layer, and
  • a 1991 bilateral agreement between the United States and Canada that helped fight acid rain by proscribing the emission of sulphur dioxide (SO2).
• This brought about the inception of UNFCCC.
• The first ever COP occurred in Berlin, Germany, in 1995
  • The first edition of COP entailed a dialogue on a way to put into effect the UNFCCC.
• At the meeting, an agreement was reached to meet yearly to talk about action on climate exchange and emissions discounts.
• In the subsequent  years, every other deal was made that placed global duties on the set of wealthy and industrialised countries to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions through assigned amounts.
• The agreement might end up the Kyoto Protocol because it was adopted in Kyoto, Japan, during the COP-3.

Paris Agreement (COP 21)

• The Paris Agreement, additionally referred to as COP21, is a legally binding global treaty on climate change.
• It was followed by 196 parties at the UN Climate Change Conference in Paris, France in December 2015.
  • The agreement entered into pressure on November 4, 2016.
• The Paris Agreement’s fundamental goals are:
  • Limit global warming: Keep worldwide warming under 2°C above pre-commercial ranges, and pursue efforts to restrict it to 1.5°C
  • Reduce greenhouse fuel emissions: Significantly lessen greenhouse gas emissions by 2100
  • Support countries: Strengthen nations’ ability to address the impacts of climate change
  • Provide financing: Provide financing to growing countries to mitigate climate change

The Upcoming COP 29 and Truce Proposal

• Azerbaijan to be the host of COP 29

• • • Azerbaijan, as the host, will lead the 29th edition of the conference.
    • It will build upon the agenda set in COP 28 in Dubai. Key points encompass transitioning faraway from fossil fuels to obtain net zero by 2050.
    • Azerbaijan will attempt to guide countries closer to consensus on addressing the climate crisis, emphasizing the urgency of preserving global temperatures from growing extra than 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
    • A fundamental problem to be addressed is the unfulfilled 2009 dedication by advanced nations to offer $100 billion annually to developing countries for climate change.
    • In 2024, the convention is expected to set a brand new annual goal above $100 billion and determine whether or not the price range could be offered or loans.

• Truce Proposal – need for climate team spirit no matter geopolitical divisions

• • • Azerbaijan is aiming to protect the annual talks from geopolitical tensions by means of proposing a -week COP truce.
    • This initiative, inspired through the Olympic truce, is intended to unite countries in a collaborative effort to address the pressing problem of climate change.
    • As in line with the host of COP 29, the climate crisis is a typical problem that requires an inclusive approach.
    • The contemporary worldwide political divide is just like the Cold War era, making it hard to agree on climate action.

• Challenges in Achieving Net Zero

• • Many growing nations lack the institutional capability and monetary focus needed to put together powerful NDCs.
  • Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are climate movement plans that nations create to help meet the goals of the Paris Agreement.
  • NDCs are self-described pledges that outline how countries will reduce emissions, adapt to climate change, and secure investment to support those efforts.
  • They are short- to medium-term plans that ought to be updated every 5 years with greater formidable desires primarily based on both country’s capabilities.
  • Azerbaijan is running closer to its purpose of carbon neutrality by 2050, however greater help and focus are needed to acquire this goal.
  • NDCs are critical for countries to contribute to decreasing greenhouse gas emissions and meeting the 1.5°C target.
  • Several countries submitted their ultra-modern NDCs by 2023, with the following submissions expected via 2028.

Source: The Hindu

UPSC Mains Practice Question

Q. Describe the major outcomes of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). What are the commitments made by India in this conference? (250 Words)

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