Why in the News?
- Recently, U.S. President Donald Trump signed a presidential memorandum directing the United States to withdraw from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
- This decision marks a significant escalation from previous withdrawals from the Paris Agreement, as the UNFCCC is the foundational parent treaty for all global climate cooperation.
- The memorandum identified these organizations as “contrary to the interests of the United States,” leading to widespread international concern regarding the future of collective climate action.
Overview of United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
- The UNFCCC is the global international treaty for addressing climate change, adopted at the Rio Earth Summit in 1992.
- Headquarters (Secretariat): Bonn, Germany
- Membership: 198 Parties, comprising 197 countries and the European Union, making it one of the most widely ratified international treaties.
- Foundation: It provides the legal and institutional foundation for subsequent agreements, including the Kyoto Protocol (1997) and the Paris Agreement (2015)
- Meetings and Implementation: Parties meet annually at the Conference of the Parties (COPs) and in technical meetings throughout the year to advance the objectives of the Paris Agreement and review progress.
- 30th session of the COP (COP30) was held in Belém, Pará, Brazil, November 2025.
- Objective: To stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations at a level that prevents dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system, while supporting sustainable development and food security.
Historical Context of UNFCCC
- UNFCCC is one of the three Rio Conventions adopted at the 1992 Rio Earth Summit to promote a sustainable planet for future generations.
- Its sister conventions are the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).
Institutional Framework of UNFCCC
- Conference of the Parties (COP): The highest decision-making body, meeting annually to review progress and guide global climate action.
- COP President and Bureau: Rotates among UN regional groups; facilitates negotiations and promotes consensus among Parties.
- Subsidiary Bodies:
- SBSTA (Scientific and Technological Advice): Provides scientific and technical guidance.
- SBI (Subsidiary Body for Implementation): Reviews implementation and progress under the Convention.
- Secretariat: Supports the COP, subsidiary bodies, and other ad hoc committees.
- Other Bodies: Established for specific tasks such as dialogues, negotiations, and technical guidance, reporting back to the COP.
Scientific Support: Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
- UNFCCC decisions and negotiations are guided by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
- The IPCC is the UN body responsible for assessing climate science and providing evidence-based recommendations.
- It was established in 1988 jointly by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
Key Climate Agreements under UNFCCC
- Kyoto Protocol (1997)
- Required developed countries to reduce emissions by 5% from 1990 levels (2008–2012).
- Introduced market-based mechanisms like the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) to fund emission-reduction projects in developing countries.
- Paris Agreement (2015)
- Aimed to limit global temperature rise well below 2°C, with efforts to cap it at 1.5°C.
- Encouraged adaptation and resilience against climate impacts.
- Introduced Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs): Countries define and report their climate actions while respecting sovereignty and national context.
- Strengthened transparency, accountability, and international cooperation.
Significance for India
- India is a party to the UNFCCC and actively participates in COPs and other climate negotiations.
- Supports India’s efforts in renewable energy expansion, climate adaptation, and technology transfer.
- India’s NDCs under the Paris Agreement align with UNFCCC principles of sustainable development and emission reduction.
Achievements of UNFCCC
- Addressing Emission Responsibilities: The Kyoto Protocol initially required only developed countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which was contested, but the Paris Agreement (2015) included commitments from all nations, correcting this anomaly.
- Raising Public Awareness: UNFCCC has significantly increased global awareness about climate change and its impacts compared to the late 1990s.
- Strengthening Climate Science: The Convention has contributed to the advancement of climate science, improving the scientific understanding necessary for effective policy and negotiations.
- Supporting Adaptation: Enabled planning and execution of adaptation initiatives, including National Adaptation Programmes of Action (NAPAs) and the Nairobi Work Programme, helping countries cope with climate impacts.
- Promoting Mitigation Mechanisms: Introduced innovative tools like the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), allowing developing countries’ emission-reduction projects to generate tradable credits for countries or companies with emission commitments.
- Facilitating Technology Transfer: Encouraged development and transfer of climate technologies, enabling nations to implement low-carbon and resilient solutions.
- Supporting Developing Countries: Provides a platform for climate finance, technology transfer, international discussions, and partnerships, assisting developing nations in mitigating and adapting to climate change.
Q. Consider the following statements regarding the UNFCCC:
1. The UNFCCC was adopted at the Rio Earth Summit in 1992.
2. The Convention has 198 Parties, including all UN member states and the European Union.
3. The IPCC is an institutional body within the UNFCCC responsible for implementing climate agreements.
4. The Paris Agreement under the UNFCCC aims to limit global temperature rise to well below 2°C.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1, 2, and 3 only
(b) 1, 2, and 4 only
(c) 2 and 4 only
(d) All of the above
Answer: (b) 1, 2, and 4 only
Explanation:
Statement 1: Correct – The UNFCCC was adopted at the Rio Earth Summit in 1992 as the primary international treaty to coordinate global action against climate change.
Statement 2: Correct – The Convention currently has 198 Parties, which include 197 countries and the European Union, making it one of the most widely ratified treaties.
Statement 3: Incorrect – The IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) is not part of the UNFCCC; it is an independent scientific body established by UNEP and WMO in 1988 to provide scientific assessments and guidance to the UNFCCC.
Statement 4: Correct – The Paris Agreement (2015) under the UNFCCC framework aims to limit global warming to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, while pursuing efforts to cap it at 1.5°C.
