All questions of Climate Change Organizations for BPSC (Bihar) Exam

Objective of REDD (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) Program

The main objective of the REDD program is to provide incentives for developing countries to protect and manage their forest resources, thus contributing to the global fight against climate change.

Explanation

Deforestation and forest degradation have been identified as major contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, which are causing global climate change. The REDD program aims to address this issue by creating financial incentives for developing countries to reduce their emissions from deforestation and forest degradation.

Under the REDD program, developing countries are eligible to receive payments for reducing their emissions from deforestation and forest degradation. These payments are made by developed countries and other organizations that are looking to offset their own emissions. The payments are designed to incentivize developing countries to protect and manage their forests, rather than clearing them for other uses.

In addition to providing financial incentives, the REDD program also aims to promote sustainable forest management practices. This includes activities such as reforestation and afforestation, which can help to increase forest cover and sequester carbon from the atmosphere.

Overall, the REDD program is an important tool for addressing the issue of climate change. By providing incentives for developing countries to protect and manage their forests, the program is helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote sustainable development.

The Kyoto Protocol entered into force in February 2005.
- Background:
The Kyoto Protocol is an international treaty that aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change. It was adopted in Kyoto, Japan, in December 1997 as an extension of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
- Ratification Process:
For the Kyoto Protocol to enter into force, it required ratification by at least 55 countries, representing at least 55% of global greenhouse gas emissions. This process took several years as countries negotiated and finalized their commitments under the agreement.
- Entry into Force:
After years of negotiations and ratifications, the Kyoto Protocol finally entered into force on February 16, 2005. This marked a significant milestone in international efforts to address climate change and set specific targets for reducing emissions among participating countries.
- Implications:
The entry into force of the Kyoto Protocol signaled a global commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and slowing the pace of climate change. Participating countries agreed to specific targets and timelines for emission reductions, with the aim of collectively mitigating the impact of human activities on the environment.
- Legacy:
While the Kyoto Protocol has since been superseded by the Paris Agreement, it laid the groundwork for international cooperation on climate change and set a precedent for future agreements. It remains an important chapter in the ongoing efforts to address the challenges of a changing climate.

The main focus of the Bali Action Plan (BAP) is option 'B': Long-term cooperative action on climate change, including mitigation, adaptation, technology development and transfer, and financial resources. Let's understand this in detail:

Long-term cooperative action:
- The Bali Action Plan was established during the 2007 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Bali, Indonesia. It aimed to provide a roadmap for addressing climate change beyond the expiration of the Kyoto Protocol in 2012.
- The plan emphasized the need for long-term cooperation among all countries to combat climate change effectively.

Mitigation:
- Mitigation refers to efforts aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions to minimize the impacts of climate change. The Bali Action Plan recognized the importance of mitigation actions and called for cooperative efforts by all countries.
- It emphasized the need for developed countries to take the lead in reducing emissions, while developing countries were encouraged to contribute according to their capabilities.

Adaptation:
- Adaptation involves adjusting and preparing for the impacts of climate change to reduce vulnerability and enhance resilience. The Bali Action Plan acknowledged the significance of adaptation measures.
- It emphasized the need to enhance the capacity of developing countries to adapt to the adverse effects of climate change, including the provision of financial and technological support.

Technology development and transfer:
- Technology plays a crucial role in addressing climate change. The Bali Action Plan recognized the importance of technology development and transfer for both mitigation and adaptation efforts.
- It called for enhanced cooperation and support to facilitate the development, deployment, and transfer of environmentally sound technologies to developing countries.

Financial resources:
- Addressing climate change requires substantial financial resources. The Bali Action Plan highlighted the need for adequate and predictable financial support to developing countries.
- It emphasized the importance of scaling up financial resources from various sources, including public and private, bilateral and multilateral, to support mitigation and adaptation actions.

In summary, the main focus of the Bali Action Plan is to establish long-term cooperative action among countries to address climate change comprehensively. This includes efforts in mitigation, adaptation, technology development and transfer, and financial resources. The plan recognizes the differing responsibilities and capabilities of developed and developing countries and emphasizes the need for support to ensure a fair and effective global response to climate change.

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) plays a crucial role in international negotiations on climate change. It was established in 1992 as a response to the growing concern over the impacts of climate change and the need for global cooperation to address this issue. The UNFCCC serves as the primary international forum for negotiating and adopting agreements to combat climate change.

Negotiating and Adopting International Agreements
The primary role of the UNFCCC is to negotiate and adopt specific international agreements on climate change. The most significant agreement negotiated under the UNFCCC is the Paris Agreement, which was adopted in 2015. The Paris Agreement sets out a global framework to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and aims to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius. The UNFCCC facilitates negotiations among its member states to reach consensus on key issues related to climate change mitigation, adaptation, finance, and technology transfer.

Promoting Renewable Energy
While the UNFCCC does not have a direct role in promoting renewable energy, it supports the transition to low-carbon economies through various mechanisms. For example, the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) established under the Kyoto Protocol, which is an international treaty under the UNFCCC, promotes sustainable development and emission reduction projects in developing countries. Many of these projects focus on renewable energy, such as wind, solar, and hydropower, contributing to the promotion of renewable energy globally.

Monitoring and Reporting on Greenhouse Gas Emissions
The UNFCCC plays a critical role in monitoring and reporting greenhouse gas emissions. Member states are required to submit national greenhouse gas inventories and other relevant information to the UNFCCC Secretariat. This information is used to track progress towards meeting emission reduction targets and to assess the effectiveness of climate change policies and measures implemented by countries. The UNFCCC also facilitates the review of these reports and provides guidance to member states on improving the accuracy and transparency of their emissions data.

Conclusion
In conclusion, the UNFCCC's role in international negotiations on climate change is to negotiate and adopt specific international agreements. It also plays a role in promoting renewable energy through mechanisms like the CDM and monitors and reports on greenhouse gas emissions. The UNFCCC serves as a crucial platform for global cooperation and collaboration in addressing the urgent challenge of climate change.

The outcome of the COP 15 Copenhagen Summit was the recognition of the Copenhagen Accord as a non-binding agreement by the Conference of Parties (CoP). The Copenhagen Accord was the result of intense negotiations among the participating countries during the summit, which aimed to address climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Explanation:
1. Copenhagen Accord:
- The Copenhagen Accord was a political agreement that was not legally binding.
- It was drafted by a small group of countries, including the United States, China, India, Brazil, and South Africa, and was later recognized by the CoP.
- The accord aimed to limit the global temperature rise to below 2 degrees Celsius and included commitments from both developed and developing countries to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.
- It also proposed a goal of mobilizing $100 billion per year by 2020 to support developing countries in their efforts to address climate change.

2. Non-binding agreement:
- The recognition of the Copenhagen Accord as a non-binding agreement meant that countries were not legally obliged to fulfill their commitments under the accord.
- This was a significant departure from previous climate agreements like the Kyoto Protocol, which had legally binding targets for emissions reductions.

3. Controversial negotiations:
- The negotiations during the Copenhagen Summit were highly controversial and faced significant challenges.
- There were disagreements between developed and developing countries regarding the level of commitments, financial support, and technology transfer.
- The lack of consensus among countries resulted in a weak agreement that did not include specific emission reduction targets or a clear roadmap for implementation.

4. Lack of consensus:
- The Copenhagen Accord was not adopted as an official decision of the CoP but was recognized by the conference.
- While some countries supported the accord, others expressed reservations and concerns about the lack of inclusivity and transparency in the negotiation process.
- The recognition of the accord was seen as a compromise to salvage the summit and prevent a complete breakdown of negotiations.

In conclusion, the outcome of the COP 15 Copenhagen Summit was the recognition of the Copenhagen Accord as a non-binding agreement by the CoP. Although it was not legally binding, the accord represented a political commitment to address climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, its adoption was controversial and faced criticism for its lack of specific targets and implementation mechanisms.