UN Framework Convention on Climate Change - Example

UN Framework Convention on Climate Change Introduction The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) constitutes an international environment treaty that was formed at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development. This conference had been held from June 3 to 14, 1992 at Rio de Janeiro[Env16]. This treaty endeavours to stabilise greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at levels that would inhibit hazardous anthropogenic interference with the climate system. On 9 May 1992, the UNFCCC was opened for signature. This was in the aftermath of development of the text of the Framework Convention by the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee, subsequent to its meeting in New York from 30 April 1992 to 9 May 1992. This treaty, as of May 2011, had 194 state parties. Initially, the UNFCCC established a national greenhouse gas inventories of greenhouse gas emissions and removals. These were employed for generating the benchmark levels of 1990 for accession of Annex I nations to the Kyoto Protocol and for the purpose of committing those nations towards reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. As such, the Annex I nations have to submit updated inventories on a regular basis. The primary protocol of the treaty is the Kyoto Protocol [Env16]. The environmental change transpiring across the planet is taking place at a much faster pace than what had been projected. This has made it imperative for governments to reverse the damage being done to our world. This alarm call has emanated from the UNEP. In fact, during the UN Climate Change Conference at Bonn in 2016, Christiana Figures had stated that in the aftermath of the successful conclusion of the Paris Climate Change Agreement in 2015, there had been a transition to the era of collaboration from that of negotiations[Uni163]. History and Background The present day concentrations and emissions of greenhouse gases raise the terrible prospect that by the end of this century, global temperature will increase by 1.50C. There will be a warming of the oceans and melting of ice on a continuous basis, and by the year 2065 the average sea level can be expected to increase by 30cm, and by 63cm by the year 2100[Uni161].The majority of the features of climate change will remain in force for several centuries after the greenhouse gas emissions have been stopped. As such, an average increase of 0.850 C had been discerned in the global temperature from 1880 to 2012. This resulted in the warming of oceans, reduction in the quantities of ice and snow, and decline in sea level. In fact, a 19 cm increase had been observed in the average sea level, from 1901 to 2010, due to the melting of ice and the warming of the seas. Furthermore, the quantity of ice in the Arctic sea had been diminishing since 1979, and the reduction was 1.07 million km2 per decade. In addition, Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, at the global level, have increased by nearly 50% since 1990. The highest rate of such emissions have been between 2000 and 2010[Uni161]. The formation of the UNFCCC demonstrated the serious intent of the comity of nations to address climate change. In the year 1995, negotiations were commenced by nations to reinforce the global response to climate change. In 1997, the Kyoto Protocol was adopted, which had the effect of legally binding the developed country parties to emission reduction targets. The first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol was from 2008 to 2012, and the second commenced in 2013 and would end by the year 2020. On 12 December 2015, the Paris Agreement was adopted in Paris, France, and it provided a new direction to the international effort to limit climate change[Uni162]. Effects of Climate Change The effects of climate change have been categorised by scientists into: first, erratic climate and weather extremes. Second, altered ecosystems and habitats. Third, risks to human health and society[Env161]. Climate change alters natural resources, the environment, and affects human life in several ways. These include: first, increasing temperatures that enhance the intensity, duration and frequency of heat waves. The latter can be hazardous to humans, especially the elderly and young children. Second, harmful effect upon human health, due to impaired water and air quality, increased proliferation of certain ailments, and modification in the intensity or frequency of extreme weather events. Third, rising sea levels, which pose a major threat to coastal communities and ecosystems. In addition, climate change brings about variations in the amount and patterns of rainfall, and changes in the amount and times of stream flow, can impact water quality, water supplies and the generation of hydro-electric power[Uni164]. Moreover, it alters ecosystems, which in turn affects the geographic ranges of several animal and plant species, and their lifecycle events, including reproduction and migration. Furthermore, climate change enhances the intensity and frequency of droughts, heat waves, floods and other extreme weather events can increase property loss, produce expensive social disruptions, and diminish the affordability and availability of insurance. Furthermore, climate change leads to expensive energy, destruction of electric infrastructure due to paucity of power supply, deforestation, lower agricultural productivity, food shortages, arsenic and heavy metal poisoning, immunity deficits, vector borne diseases and bacterial contamination[Zam13]. Moreover, the stratospheric ozone layer is depleted; global warming transpires; excessive melting of glaciers takes place, which produces increase in sea levels; changes to rainfall patterns; soil erosion; enhancement of cyclones, floods and droughts; soil erosion; land degradation; and other related climate disasters. Key Participants The Paris agreement, which had been adopted on 12 December 2015, in Paris, constitutes the latest development in the UN climate change regime. China has been identified as a major entity in the mitigation of climate change, due to its being the largest emitter of greenhouse gases. This country had participated, committedly, in the negotiations. Albeit, China had ratified the Kyoto Protocol, it had refused to undertake greenhouse gases reduction commitments. In the year 2005, China became a member of the Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate, along with Australia, India, Japan, South Korea and the US[Heg09]. The objective of this partnership is to mitigate greenhouse gases emissions via voluntary public private partnerships and emphasis upon cleaner technology. An important facet of the UNFCCC is its cooperation with the related international organisations, including scientific bodies, UN agencies and other conventions[Uni148]. The objective behind this cooperation is to obtain the best scientific and other related information. China and the US constitute global powers, and such powers are inclined to reject any agreement that has the potential to affect their interests adversely. In fact, India, US and China are some of the major international economic powers that have to derive an incentive if they are to agree on common grounds for cooperation[Zak15]. This is essential for any international climate change regime to be agreed upon, signed, ratified and implemented effectively. The absence of cooperation from these powerful nations could be attributed to the absence of incentives for participation and compliance. Concerned Organisations Several organisations are involved in the process of preserving the environment, including the following: first, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which addresses issues relating to IPCC reports. Second, Global Climate Observing System (GCOS), whose secretariat deals with issues pertaining to research and systematic observation. Third, International Maritime Organization (IMO) and International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), which deal with the methodologies relating to the fuel utilised in international transportation. Fourth, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Collaborative Partnership on Forests (CPF), and United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF), which address issues relating to forestry, land use change and land use. Fifth, secretariat of the Montreal Protocol, which deals with issues pertaining to hydrofluorocarbons and perfluorocarbons. Sixth, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), World Health Organization (WHO), World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and World Conservation Union (IUCN)[Uni148]. Furthermore, the Conference of Parties (COP21) held in Paris in 2015 envisaged the following challenges. First, a committed and legally binding agreement, relating to every country, to address climate imbalance. Second, to ensure the effectiveness of the implementation of Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs). Third, providing funding for efforts aimed at combating climate change[COP15]. The measures adopted by non-governmental organisations, civil society organisations, businesses and local authorities have to ensure enhanced sustainability and complement solutions agenda in various areas, including, finance, knowledge, public private partnerships, innovation, leadership and technology Current State of Affairs A United Nations sponsored study, released in 2010, disclosed that several nations had adopted low-carbon growth economic strategies during the year, despite the lack of certainty with regard to the international climate negotiations[Uni105] It is indispensable to curtail climate change and global warming. As such, it is feasible to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by transitioning to solar, ocean, wind and other renewable energy sources from fossil fuel based energy sources. In addition, energy efficiency could be enhanced by developing suitable technologies and transforming the customary behaviour of the people. Furthermore, developing and adopting technologies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions could prove a major intervention in preventing global warming. In addition, climate Change Governance demands the following: first, proper coordination, wherein the requisite number of coordinating entities emerge as leaders and the catalysts of the obligatory action. Second, the employment of appropriate incentives, in order to bring about the involvement of the various sectors of society. Third, mobilisation of key stakeholders, such as the government, civil sector, industry, specific interest groups and the scientific community. Fourth, proper monitoring, in order to have a well-defined plan of action. In this context, education and communication are of great significance. Future Perspectives on Climate Change The world is experiencing the major consequences of climate change, including varying weather patterns, rising sea level, and extreme weather events. Climate change is facilitated by greenhouse gas emissions associated with human activities, and these emissions have reached their zenith at present. In the absence of appropriate action, the average surface temperature of the world is likely to exceed 30C. In order to deal with the environmental crisis, several measures have to be adopted on an urgent basis. These are: first, reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Second, forward looking policies for contesting climate change. Third, interaction with businesses, with a view to achieving a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Fourth, assist nature and humanity in adapting to a changing climate. Moreover, encouraging multilateral cooperation at the international level, in order to address climate change could bring about a reduction in the use of fossil fuels. In addition, it is necessary for high level agreements to be conducted by the leaders of the various nations, so as to curb greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. In this regard, it is necessary to realise that the contemporary UNFCCC, which involves negotiations between diplomats, has not been able to achieve the desired results, vis-à-vis control of climate change and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. The need of the hour is for the leaders of the various nations to confabulate and come to an agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and to limit climate change to the maximum extent possible. Conclusion Climate change has generated tremendous concern among the nations, and one of the consequences is the formation of the UNFCCC. If the contemporary situation persists, then by the end of this century, global temperatures will depict a substantial increase. In fact, a global temperature has increased significantly between 1880 to 2012. This has led to the warming of oceans, decline in ocean levels, and reduction in ice and snow. In addition, this has caused floods, drought, retreat of glaciers, and ecosystems and biodiversity pattern changes. Moreover, greenhouse gas emissions have increased tremendously since 1990. The US and China, due to their economic and military clout, reject any agreement that harms or could harm their interests. This has mitigated the effectiveness of the environment protection treaties and protocols. In fact, environmental change has been transpiring at a much higher rate than what had been projected. At this juncture, organisations concerned with various components of the environment, including forests, oceans and land have to adopt strong measures to oppose further damage to these elements. This task has to be supported by the governments, which have to make and implement stringent laws to prevent environmental damage. As such, it is imperative for the nations of the world to come together and fight climate change jointly. In addition, innovative procedures have to be adopted in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. To this end, conventional technologies that depend upon fossil fuels have to be supplanted by technologies that utilise renewable energy, such as solar and wind energy. In fact, the UNFCCC constitutes a positive step in reducing greenhouse gas emissions by obliging nations to adopt measures that protect the environment. References. COP21 – A Crucial Pathway Towards Attaining a New Universal Climate Agreement, 2015. GlobalData Event Analysis, December, pp. 1-9. Environment and Ecology, 2016. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. [online] Available at: [Accessed 23 May 2016]. Environmental Defense Fund, 2016. Climate change impacts. [online] Available at: [Accessed 1 June 2016]. Heggelund, G. M. & Buan, I. F., 2009. China in the Asia-Pacific Partnership: consequences for UN climate change mitigation efforts?. International Environmental Agreements : Politics, Law and Economics, 9(3), pp. 301-317. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, 2014. Cooperation with International Organizations. [online] Available at: [Accessed 23 May 2016]. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, 2014. Co-Operation with Relevant International Organizations. [online] Available at: [Accessed 24 May 2016]. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, 2016. Background on the UNFCCC: The international response to climate change. [online] Available at: [Accessed 23 May 2016]. United Nations: UN-supported study reports promising gains towards low-carbon economy , 2010. M2 Presswire, 22 April. United Nations, 2016. Governments Enter New Era of Collaboration on Climate Change. [online] Available at: [Accessed 25 May 2016]. United Nations, n.d. Sustainable Development Goals. [online] Available at: [Accessed 23 May 2016]. 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The TRIPS Patent Protection Provisions and Their Effects on Transferring Climate Change Technologies to LDCs and Poor Developing Countries: A Critical Appraisal. Asian Journal of International Law, 3(1), pp. 137-161. Read More