The Hindu Editorial Analysis- 22nd November 2024 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

India Needs an Environmental Health Regulatory Agency 

Why in News?

The 2024 Conference of Parties (COP 29) ends in Baku, Azerbaijan today. As a global voice for developing countries, India will push for ambitious climate mitigation financing from developed nations. At the same time, pollutants in our air, water and land continue to pose grave health risks. According to the Emissions Gap Report 2024 from the United Nations Environment Programme, India has seen over 6% more greenhouse gas emissions than the previous year. These two examples show that India is at a critical juncture in its environmental and public health journey.

What is COP 29?

• The Conference of the Parties (COP) is the main decision-making body of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
• The UNFCCC is a treaty established in 1992 that brings together 198 members, which includes 197 countries and the European Union, to work together in the battle against climate change.
• Each year, COP meets to:
  • Review national emission data
  • Evaluate progress in fighting climate change
  • Influence global climate policy

COP 29 Summit Key Details

• The COP 29 summit, taking place in Baku, Azerbaijan, is an important event where the country is stepping up to lead in global efforts against climate change.
• This year's talks will center on:
  • Gathering financial support for initiatives aimed at achieving global sustainability.
  • Promoting new technologies in the field of renewable energy.
  • Creating detailed plans to help countries adapt to the impacts of climate change.

COP 29 Summit Key Theme

• The theme of COP 29 focuses on speeding up efforts to achieve climate goals through new ideas, better financial support, and working together with different groups.
• The 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference, known as UNFCCC COP 29, is named “Investing in a Livable Planet for All”.
• This important event is taking place at the Baku Olympic Stadium in Azerbaijan.

COP29Historical Context and Significance

• COP meetings are very important for creating global climate policies.
• A major milestone was the adoption of the Kyoto Protocol in 1997. This agreement set legally binding targets for developed countries to reduce their emissions.
• Another significant event was the Paris Agreement in 2015, which aimed to keep the increase in global temperatures to well below 2°C, with an ultimate goal of limiting it to 1.5°C.
• COP 29 continues the progress made by focusing on enhancing climate finance, improving technology transfer, and strengthening capacity-building efforts.
• These efforts are designed to support developing countries in taking action against climate change.

Key Milestones of COP:

• Kyoto Protocol (1997): This agreement was made during COP3 and required wealthy countries to lower their greenhouse gas emissions. The goal was to achieve a total reduction of 4.2% by the year 2012 compared to 1990 levels.
• Copenhagen Accord (2009): At COP15, this accord set a target to keep global warming below 2°C. It also stated that developed countries should help fund climate initiatives in poorer nations, but it did not create a legally binding agreement.
• Paris Agreement (2015): During COP21, the Paris Agreement was adopted, with the aim of limiting global warming to well below 2°C, ideally to 1.5°C. It established Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), which are pledges made by each country regarding their emissions reductions.
• Glasgow Pact (2021): At COP26, the Glasgow Pact was formed, which included commitments to decrease the use of coal and to phase out ineffective fossil fuel subsidies. This was significant as it was the first time coal was specifically addressed in a UN climate agreement.
• Loss and Damage Fund (2023): At COP28, a new fund was established to aid countries affected by climate-related disasters. This initiative responds to long-standing requests for financial help for those who are most impacted by climate change.

Objectives of COP 29

COP 29 focuses on several key areas of climate action:

• Climate Finance: Setting a new goal to gather financial support, especially to help developing countries in their climate efforts.
• Mitigation and Adaptation: Increasing commitments to lower greenhouse gas emissions while implementing methods to deal with the effects of climate change.
• Technology Transfer: Encouraging the sharing of environmentally friendly technologies to strengthen global efforts in reducing emissions and adapting to climate impacts.
• Global Stocktake: Reviewing how well we are progressing towards the long-term goals of the Paris Agreement.

India’s Status and Role at COP 29

• India is an important player in global climate talks, being one of the largest developing countries and a major contributor to climate efforts.
• India has consistently pointed out the slow pace of gathering the $100 billion each year that developed nations promised for climate finance.
• At COP 29, India continues to champion equity, climate justice, and calls for more financial and technological assistance for developing nations.
• India's position emphasizes the need for fair treatment in climate actions, ensuring that all countries have the support they need to combat climate change.
• The nation is committed to pushing for more substantial commitments from developed countries to fulfill their financial pledges.
• India seeks to ensure that developing countries receive adequate resources to address the impacts of climate change.

India’s Key Contributions and Commitments:

• Net-Zero Target: India aims to reach net-zero emissions by 2070 as part of its commitment to the Paris Agreement. This goal highlights the importance of balancing development needs with sustainable practices.
• Renewable Energy Leadership: India is leading the way in global efforts for renewable energy, with a goal of achieving 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030. Through initiatives like the International Solar Alliance (ISA), India shows its dedication to clean energy.
• Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs): India has revised its NDCs, setting challenging targets that include a 45% reduction in the carbon intensity of its GDP by 2030 and obtaining 50% of its energy from renewable sources.
• Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE): India promotes the LiFE initiative, which encourages sustainable consumption and environmentally friendly lifestyles on a global level.

Current Developments and Challenges

Climate Finance Issues:

• Countries that are still developing are very worried about the slow progress in reaching the goal of providing $100 billion each year for climate finance.
• The New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) is a topic of disagreement, with many developed countries not making enough commitments.

Commitments to Mitigation and Adaptation:

• While many countries have promised to reach net-zero emissions, there are still large gaps in how these promises are being carried out.
• These gaps are especially noticeable between wealthy and less wealthy nations.

Youth Activism and Public Involvement:

• Young activists around the globe are pushing for urgent and bold actions on climate change.
• They are criticizing the slow progress of the negotiations and the impact of fossil fuel companies on the discussions at the summit.