2. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

Key Objectives and Mandate

• UNFCCC is the primary international treaty to combat climate change. It emerged from the 1992 Earth Summit (Rio de Janeiro) and aims to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations to prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate.

• Key focus areas:

• Global cooperation on mitigation, adaptation, capacity building, and climate finance

• Operates on the principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR-RC)

• Supports developing nations via technology transfer and funding mechanisms

Organizational Structure

• Conference of Parties (COP) – Apex decision-making body; annual sessions

• Subsidiary Bodies:

• SBSTA (Scientific and Technical Advice)

• SBI (Implementation)

• Secretariat: Facilitates implementation; located in Bonn

• Linked Legal Instruments:

• Kyoto Protocol (1997) – Binding targets for developed countries

• Paris Agreement (2015) – Voluntary NDCs, Net-Zero targets

• Doha Amendment, Glasgow Pact, Sharm el-Sheikh Plan

India’s Role and Relevance

• India is a founding member and key voice for the Global South

• Advocates strongly for equity, CBDR, and climate justice

• Submitted Updated NDCs in 2022:

• 50% installed electricity capacity from non-fossil sources by 2030

• Reduce emissions intensity of GDP by 45% (from 2005 levels)

• Achieve Net Zero by 2070

• Introduced the LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) Mission globally

• Member of BASIC, LMDC, and initiator of CAMP (Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure)

Key Initiatives and Development

• COP28 (2023):

• Conducted first Global Stocktake

• Operationalized Loss and Damage Fund

• Contentious debate on fossil fuel phase-down

• COP27 (2022):

• Focus on climate adaptation and resilience finance

• Long-Term Low Emissions Development Strategy (LT-LEDS) submitted by India

• Expansion of Article 6 mechanisms (carbon markets

Additional Facts

• UNFCCC classifies countries as Annex I, Annex II, Non-Annex

• Paris Agreement is legally binding in process, but non-binding on outcomes (NDC targets)

• COP21 (Paris) and COP26 (Glasgow) were landmark events

• India hosted COP8 (2002) – Released the Delhi Ministerial Declaration

Relevance for UPSC Exam

• Prelims: High frequency of questions on COPs, NDCs, treaty mechanisms, India’s targets, and groupings

• Mains (GS2/GS3):

• Role in climate governance, climate diplomacy, carbon equity

• GS3: NDCs, carbon markets, and India’s strategies under Paris Agreement

• Essay & Interview: Useful in topics like Climate Justice, Global South & Equity, Multilateralism in Environment