Key Facts & Data Points

  • Adopted: 12 December 2015 at COP21 (Paris) under the UNFCCC.
  • Parties: 194 countries + European Union (near‑universal participation).
  • Temperature Goal: Limit warming to well below 2 °C and pursue efforts to limit it to 1.5 °C above pre‑industrial levels.
  • Finance Commitment: Developed nations pledged USD 100 billion/yr up to 2025; at COP29 (2024) a new collective goal of USD 300 billion/yr by 2035 was agreed.
  • Five‑Year Cycle: Countries submit updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) every five years; first Global Stocktake completed in 2023 (COP28).
  • India’s NDC (2023):
  • Reduce emissions intensity of GDP by 45 % (2005 baseline) by 2030.
  • Achieve ≈50 % non‑fossil electricity capacity by 2030 (already reached 50 % in 2025).
  • Create an additional carbon sink of 2.5‑3 GtCO₂e.
  • Net‑zero target by 2070.

Background & Context

  • The Kyoto Protocol (1997) imposed legally binding emission caps only on Annex I (developed) countries. Its first commitment period ended in 2012, leading to a dead‑end for many developing nations.
  • The Paris Agreement replaced Kyoto by embracing Common But Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR‑RC), allowing all nations to set their own NDCs.
  • The Paris Rulebook (finalised at COP24, Katowice) provides detailed guidance on transparency, accounting, and the Global Stocktake.

Significance for India & Governance

  • Policy Integration: Climate goals are now embedded in national programmes – e.g., Mission LiFE, International Solar Alliance (ISA), Coalition for Disaster‑Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI).
  • Energy Transition: Accelerated solar, wind, and green hydrogen projects align with the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.
  • Finance & Technology: India seeks increased climate finance (grants, concessional loans) and technology transfer, emphasizing South‑South cooperation.

Concerns & Criticisms

  • Voluntary NDCs: Lack of legally enforceable targets reduces accountability.
  • Equity Gaps: Uniform expectations dilute CBDR; developing nations demand USD 1.3 trillion/yr (incl. USD 600 bn as grants) versus the current USD 300 bn pledge.
  • Finance Shortfall: Persistent gap between pledged and disbursed climate finance.
  • Insufficient Ambition: Current NDCs trajectory points to 2.5‑2.9 °C warming, missing the 1.5 °C/2 °C goals.

Measures Needed to Strengthen Climate Action

  • Legally Binding Commitments: Introduce sector‑wise carbon budgets and enforceable timelines.
  • Balanced Mitigation‑Adaptation: Scale up climate‑resilient infrastructure, agriculture, and early‑warning systems.
  • Bridge Finance Gap: Fulfil developed‑country pledges, expand green bonds, blended finance, and reform multilateral development banks.
  • Reinforce CBDR‑RC: Ensure policy space for developing economies and fair trade measures (e.g., carbon border adjustments).
  • Technology Access: Promote affordable renewables, storage, green hydrogen via patent pools and South‑South cooperation.
  • Robust Governance: Strengthen monitoring, verification, and transparent data mechanisms.

The China Model (Illustrative)

  • Development‑First Approach: Allowed emissions growth during rapid industrialisation.
  • Massive Renewable Investment: Built world‑largest solar and wind capacity.
  • Peak & Net‑Zero: Pledged to peak emissions before 2030 and achieve net‑zero by 2060.
  • Lesson for India: Early clean‑energy investments can decouple growth from emissions.

Conclusion

The Paris Agreement succeeded in achieving universal participation and mainstreaming climate action, yet faces weak accountability, finance, and equity challenges. Strengthening it requires enforceable commitments, adequate finance, and a balanced focus on mitigation and adaptation, especially for developing economies like India.

Mains‑Style Question

Critically examine the effectiveness of the Paris Agreement after a decade. What structural limitations constrain its success?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  1. What is the Paris Agreement and when was it adopted?
  • A legally binding global climate treaty adopted in 2015 at COP21 under the UNFCCC.
  1. What are Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)?
  • Country‑specific climate action plans submitted every five years, outlining mitigation and adaptation measures.
  1. What was the significance of the first Global Stocktake at COP28?
  • Assessed collective progress and called for accelerated mitigation, adaptation, and finance by 2030.
  1. Why is the Paris Agreement criticised for weak accountability?
  • It relies on voluntary NDCs without penalties for non‑compliance.

Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

  • Prelims (2016): The term ‘Intended Nationally Determined Contributions’ is associated with (b) plan of action outlined by the countries of the world to combat climate change.
  • Prelims (2016): Statement about the Paris Agreement limiting temperature rise to 2 °C/1.5 °C is correct (option b).
  • Mains (2023): Impact of a 1 m sea‑level rise on India and Indian Ocean nations.
  • Mains (2022): Discuss global warming, its effects, and control measures in light of the Kyoto Protocol.
  • Mains (2021): Major outcomes of COP26 and India’s commitments.