UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC): UPSC Notes

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is an international environmental treaty adopted at the 1992 Rio Earth Summit that aims to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that prevents dangerous human interference with the climate system.

About UNFCCC

• Adopted: 1992 at the Rio Earth Summit, Brazil​ , and entered into force in March 1994.
• Total Parties: 198 countries (197 states plus the European Union)​ and India joined the UNFCCC as a signatory in 1992 and ratified the convention in 1993.
• Secretariat: Bonn, Germany (moved from Geneva in 1996)​.
• Current Executive Secretary: Mr Simon Stiell of Grenada (since 2022)​.
• Parent of Major Agreements: Kyoto Protocol (1997) and Paris Agreement (2015)​.
• Annual Meeting: Conference of the Parties (COP) meets every year​.
• Sister Conventions: Convention on Biological Diversity(CBD) and Convention to Combat Desertification(UNCCD), and UNFCCC (all adopted at the Rio Summit)​.
• Key Principle: Common but differentiated responsibilities, recognizing that developed countries bear a greater burden due to historical emissions.

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change has a clear goal stated in Article 2 of the official Convention. Here are the core objectives of UNFCCC

• To stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous human interference with the climate system.​
• Allow ecosystems to adapt naturally to climate change​.
• Ensure that food production is not threatened​.
• Enable economic development to proceed sustainably​.
• Achieve these goals within a time frame sufficient for natural adaptation.

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The UNFCCC operates through a well-organized institutional structure designed to facilitate international climate negotiations and implementation.

• Conference of the Parties (COP): Annual supreme body of 198 parties to review Convention implementation and adopt decisions.​
• COP as CMP & CMA: The COP also convenes as the Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (CMP) and to the Paris Agreement (CMA) to oversee the implementation of each treaty.​
• SBSTA: The Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice provides science and technology input to the COP, meeting twice a year.​
• SBI: Subsidiary Body for Implementation reviews and advises on Convention and treaty implementation, meets twice yearly.​
• UNFCCC Secretariat (Bonn): Supports all bodies, headed by the Executive Secretary; key divisions include Adaptation, Mitigation, Transparency, Legal, and Conference Affairs.​
• Constituted & Financial Bodies: Expert groups (e.g., Technology Mechanism, Green Climate Fund) operationalize specific mandates under COP guidance.

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The Conference of the Parties has launched numerous initiatives over the years to strengthen global climate action and address specific challenges.

• Adaptation Fund (2001): Established at COP7 in Marrakech to support adaptation projects in developing countries.
• Green Climate Fund (2010): Launched at COP16 in Cancún to mobilize public and private finance for both mitigation and adaptation; overseen by a Standing Committee on Finance.
• Lima–Paris Action Agenda (2014): Initiated at COP20 in Lima to showcase voluntary climate commitments by cities, businesses, and civil society through the NAZCA portal.
• Marrakech Partnership (2016): Formalized at COP22 to link governments with non-state stakeholders via High-Level Champions promoting large-scale climate action.
• Clean Development Mechanism (CDM): Enables developed countries to implement certified emission-reduction projects in developing countries.
• Warsaw International Mechanism for Loss and Damage (2013): Created at COP19 to address loss and damage suffered by vulnerable countries due to climate impacts.
• REDD+ (2007): The framework was launched at COP13 in Bali for reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries.
• Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs): Climate action plans submitted by each country under the Paris Agreement, defining their mitigation and adaptation targets.

The 29th Conference of the Parties was held in Baku, Azerbaijan, from 11 to 22 November 2024, with climate finance as the central focus of negotiations.

• Agreed on a New Collective Quantified Goal to triple annual climate finance to USD 300 billion by 2035.​
• Finalized Article 6 rules on voluntary carbon markets (cross-border trading and centralized mechanism).​
• Readied the Loss and Damage Fund to receive contributions and begin financing in 2025.​
• Advance the Baku Adaptation Road Map to implement the Global Goal on Adaptation.​
• Secured a Ministerial Declaration on enhanced transparency for reporting mitigation, adaptation, and finance.

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India has been part of the UNFCCC since 1994. It supports climate justice and sustainable development while standing up for the interests of developing countries.

1. Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs):

• Pledged to reduce the emissions intensity of GDP by 45% from 2005 levels and achieve 50% cumulative electric power capacity from non-fossil sources by 2030.​
• Committed to reaching net-zero emissions by 2070, with a dedicated Long-term Low Carbon Development Strategy submitted in 2022.​

2. National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC):

• Launched eight missions covering solar energy, energy efficiency, water, sustainable agriculture, the
• Himalayan ecosystem, sustainable habitat, green India, and strategic climate knowledge.​
• All States and UTs prepare State Action Plans on Climate Change in line with NAPCC.​

3. International Coalitions:

• Co-founded International Solar Alliance (ISA) to promote solar energy deployment globally.​
• Co-leads, with Sweden, the Leadership Group for Industry Transition (LeadIT) for decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors.​
• Founding member of the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) to mainstream resilience in infrastructure.​

4. COP29 Interventions:

• Urged developed countries to mobilize USD 1.3 trillion per year in grants and concessional finance until 2030.​
• Emphasized climate justice and the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities in climate finance.​
• Highlighted the need for free flow of technology and finance to the Global South.​

5. Side Events at COP29:

• Showcased ‘Mission LiFE’ (Lifestyle for Environment) and ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ tree-planting campaign as citizen-led climate initiatives.​

These initiatives reflect India’s dual focus on ambitious domestic climate action and principled advocacy for fair global governance under the UNFCCC.

The UNFCCC has given birth to several important protocols and agreements that provide the legal framework for international climate action.

Despite its achievements, the UNFCCC faces several structural and operational challenges that limit its effectiveness in addressing the climate crisis.

• Limited Enforcement Mechanisms: No legally binding emission limits in the original Convention, relying on voluntary commitments and moral pressure​.
• Slow Decision-Making: A consensus-based approach often leads to lowest common denominator outcomes and delayed action​.
• Insufficient Climate Finance: Persistent gap between promised and delivered finance, with developing countries' needs far exceeding available resources​.
• Inadequate Implementation: Many commitments remain on paper without effective translation into ground-level action​.
• Widening Ambition Gap: Current NDCs are insufficient to limit global warming to 1.5°C or even 2°C above pre-industrial levels.

To tackle the climate emergency, the UNFCCC must evolve rapidly across key areas:

• Enhance NDCs for a 1.5 °C pathway, fast-track renewables, and phase out fossil fuels.
• Boost adaptation funding, set measurable targets, build resilient infrastructure, and fully launch the Loss and Damage Fund.
• Institute a year-round peer review and empower the secretariat to enforce transparency.
• Simplify negotiations with shorter agendas and clear COP host criteria.

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