INDEX

II. Key Objectives and Mandate

1. UNEP is the leading global authority for environmental affairs. It was created in 1972 as a result of the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment, with a mission to coordinate the UN’s environmental activities and assist countries in implementing environmentally sound policies.

   Its focus includes:

   • Climate change

   • Biodiversity conservation

   • Pollution and waste

   • Resource efficiency and sustainable consumption

   • Supporting achievement of environment-related SDGs

   III. Organizational Structure

   • UN Environment Assembly (UNEA): Apex policy-making body; meets biennially

   • Committee of Permanent Representatives (CPR): Intergovernmental oversight

   • Executive Director: Leads the Secretariat (Currently: Inger Andersen)

   • Divisions: Science, Economy, Law, Ecosystems, etc.

   • Regional Offices: Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, Latin America, North America, West Asia

   IV. India’s Role and Relevance

   • Founding member and active participant in global environmental negotiations

   • Hosted World Environment Day 2018 with the theme “Beat Plastic Pollution”

   • Collaborates with UNEP on projects like:

   • Air Quality Assessment in Indian Cities

   • Resource Efficiency Roadmaps

   • Electric Mobility (with NITI Aayog)

   • Supports India in achieving goals under NAPCC, LiFE Movement, and SDG 13 (Climate Action)

   V. Key Initiatives and Developments

   • UNEA-6 (2024) prioritized the Global Plastics Treaty negotiations

   • UNEP administers multiple Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs), including:

   • CITES, CMS, Minamata Convention

   • Partnered with India on the “Clean Air India” initiative and the One Sun One World One Grid (OSOWOG) concept

   • Works closely on circular economy, climate finance, and nature-based solutions

   VI. Additional Facts

   • UNEP was the first UN body headquartered in the Global South

   • Publishes flagship scientific assessments on climate, pollution, biodiversity

   • Its GEO reports are referenced during global negotiations

   • Plays a leading role in SDG tracking related to environment

   VII. Relevance for UPSC Exam

   • Prelims: Questions on UNEA, reports (GEO, Emissions Gap), India’s initiatives with UNEP, MEAs administered

   • Mains (GS2/GS3):

   • Role in global environmental governance

   • India’s engagement with UNEP and SDGs

   • Essay & Interview: Useful for topics on climate justice, sustainable development, and global environmental ethics

1. UNEP – United Nations Environment Programme

II. Key Objectives and Mandate

1. The UNFCCC is the primary international treaty to combat climate change through global cooperation.

   Its core objective:

   “Stabilization of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system.”

   The Convention focuses on:

   • Promoting mitigation, adaptation, and climate finance

   • Ensuring common but differentiated responsibilities (CBDR-RC)

   • Supporting developing nations via technology transfer and capacity building

   III. Organizational Structure

   • Conference of Parties (COP) – Apex decision-making body, meets annually

   • Subsidiary Bodies:

   • SBSTA (Scientific & Technical Advice)

   • SBI (Implementation)

   • Secretariat – Facilitates implementation, headquartered in Bonn

   • Key Treaties Under UNFCCC:

   • Kyoto Protocol (1997) – Legally binding emission cuts for developed countries

   • Paris Agreement (2015) – Voluntary, nationally determined contributions (NDCs)

   • Doha Amendment, Glasgow Pact, etc.

   IV. India’s Role and Relevance

   • India is a founding party and a vocal proponent of climate justice and equity.

   • Advocates for CBDR, equity in carbon space, and climate finance to the Global South

   • India has submitted updated NDCs under the Paris Agreement (e.g., net zero by 2070, 50% non-fossil electricity by 2030)

   • Hosted COP8 (2002) in New Delhi – launched the Delhi Ministerial Declaration

   • Active in Like-Minded Developing Countries (LMDC) and BASIC bloc

   • Collaborates through ISA, CAMP (Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure), and Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy (LT-LEDS)

   V. Key Initiatives and Recent Developments

   • COP28 (2023, Dubai):

   • First Global Stocktake under Paris Agreement

   • Debate on fossil fuel phase-down vs. phase-out

   • Agreement on operationalizing Loss and Damage Fund

   • COP27 (2022, Egypt):

   • Established Loss & Damage Fund

   • Highlighted adaptation finance gap

   • India’s “Lifestyle for Environment” (LiFE) Mission endorsed in COP discussions

   • UNEP, UNFCCC, and other partners support India’s Green Credit Program, GHG Inventories, and Carbon Market Framework

   • Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA) and Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanisms (CBAM) gaining policy traction

   VI. Additional Facts

   • Paris Agreement is legally binding in procedural terms, but NDCs are nationally determined and non-binding in outcome

   • UNFCCC recognizes Annex I, Annex II, and Non-Annex country groupings

   • Nairobi Work Programme: Enhancing adaptation knowledge

   • Reports published: NDC Synthesis Report, Annual Emissions Gap Reports (via UNEP link)

   VII. Relevance for UPSC Exam

   • Prelims: Questions often asked on COP venues, groupings (Annex-I, LMDC, BASIC), NDC targets, and key provisions of Kyoto Protocol and Paris Agreement

   • Mains (GS2 & GS3):

   • GS2: Multilateralism, India’s climate diplomacy

   • GS3: Environmental governance, climate finance, NDC implementation

   • Essay & Interview: Useful for debates on climate justice, North vs South, and ethical responsibility toward global commons

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

II. Key Objectives and Mandate

1. The IPCC is the world’s foremost scientific body for assessing the science of climate change.

   Its mission:

   “To provide policymakers with regular assessments of the scientific basis of climate change, its impacts, and options for adaptation and mitigation.”

   It does not conduct research but compiles and evaluates thousands of scientific studies to inform international policy.

   III. Organizational Structure

   • Panel: Governing body of representatives from all member governments

   • Bureau: Oversees operations; includes scientists from diverse countries

   • Working Groups:

   • WG I – Physical science basis

   • WG II – Impacts, adaptation, and vulnerability

   • WG III – Mitigation of climate change

   • Task Force on National GHG Inventories

   • Reports are reviewed in stages: Expert Review → Government Review → Approval by Panel

   IV. India’s Role and Relevance

   • India has been actively involved in all IPCC assessment cycles, with Indian scientists contributing as Lead Authors and Coordinators.

   • Dr. R. Krishnan (IITM) was one of the key Coordinating Lead Authors in AR6.

   • India uses IPCC assessments to update its climate models, adaptation planning, and national policy strategies (e.g., NAPCC, SAPCCs).

   • IPCC reports are vital to India’s stance in COP negotiations, especially regarding equity, carbon budgets, and historical responsibility.

   V. Key Initiatives and Recent Developments

   • Sixth Assessment Report (AR6) cycle (2021–2023):

   • Declared that human influence is unequivocally causing climate change

   • Warned that crossing the 1.5°C threshold is imminent without rapid mitigation

   • Focused on climate-resilient development, loss and damage, and carbon inequality

   • AR6 Synthesis Report (2023): Final document consolidating all findings

   • The next assessment cycle (AR7) is expected to begin around 2025

   • Provided scientific basis for Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C target

   VI. Additional Facts

   • IPCC shared the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize with Al Gore

   • Reports are the scientific foundation for UNFCCC, Paris Agreement, Global Stocktakes, and climate finance demands

   • Uses Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs) and Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs) to project climate futures

   • Its reports influence global policies like carbon pricing, adaptation financing, and climate equity debates

   VII. Relevance for UPSC Exam

   • Prelims: Questions on AR6 highlights, report names, RCPs/SSPs, Nobel Prize, and IPCC’s relation to UNEP/WMO

   • Mains (GS3):

   • Climate science in policy

   • Climate justice and equity

   • Science-policy interface in governance

   • Essay & Interview: Critical for climate essays, especially on topics like climate emergency, science vs politics, or ethical responsibility toward future generations

3. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)

II. Key Objectives and Mandate

1. The IUCN is the world’s oldest and largest global environmental network, focused on the conservation of biodiversity and sustainable use of natural resources.

   Its key roles include:

   • Assessing species extinction risk (via the Red List)

   • Supporting creation and management of protected areas

   • Promoting nature-based solutions to climate and development challenges

   • Influencing environmental governance and policy through partnerships

   III. Organizational Structure

   • Membership-based body: Includes governments, NGOs, indigenous organizations, academic bodies

   • World Conservation Congress: Held every 4 years, sets global conservation agenda

   • Council and Commissions:

   • Species Survival Commission (SSC)

   • World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA)

   • Commission on Environmental Law, etc.

   • Secretariat coordinates global operations via regional offices (Asia office in Bangkok)

   IV. India’s Role and Relevance

   • India is an active IUCN member, with representation from the MoEFCC, Wildlife Institute of India, and NGOs like BNHS and WWF-India

   • IUCN provides technical support to India in:

   • Red List assessment of Indian species

   • Protected area management (e.g., Ramsar Sites, Biosphere Reserves)

   • Community-based conservation programs in Himalayas and Western Ghats

   • India contributes to global conservation efforts under IUCN’s Green List and World Heritage Site evaluations

   V. Key Initiatives and Developments

   • IUCN Red List: Over 150,000 species assessed; key tool in biodiversity tracking

   • IUCN Green Status of Species (launched 2021): Assesses recovery of species

   • Nature-based Solutions Global Standard (2020): For integrating nature in infrastructure and climate plans

   • Played a key role in developing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) under the CBD

   • Supports India’s conservation work on snow leopards, river dolphins, and Western Ghats endemic species

   VI. Additional Facts

   • Founded in Fontainebleau, France

   • IUCN was instrumental in the creation of WWF and TRAFFIC

   • Its Red List categories include: Extinct, Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable, etc.

   • IUCN Red List Index is used in SDG monitoring and IPBES reports

   • Observer status at the UN General Assembly

   VII. Relevance for UPSC Exam

   • Prelims:

   • Questions on Red List categories, species status, and conservation programs

   • Location-based questions on World Heritage Sites, Biosphere Reserves, etc.

   • Mains (GS3):

   • Role in biodiversity conservation, sustainable development, ecosystem restoration

   • India’s collaboration with global biodiversity organizations

   • Essay & Interview: Use IUCN data to support points on extinction crisis, eco-governance, and planetary health

4. International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

II. Key Objectives and Mandate

1. CITES aims to regulate international trade in wildlife species to ensure it does not threaten their survival.

   Its mission is to maintain ecological balance by:

   • Preventing illegal and unsustainable trade in endangered animals and plants

   • Encouraging legal, traceable, and sustainable trade practices

   • Enforcing trade controls through permits and certificates

   III. Organizational Structure

   • Conference of the Parties (CoP): Held every 2–3 years; adopts species proposals and trade controls

   • Standing Committee and Animals/Plants Committees: Technical and policy implementation

   • Secretariat: Based in Geneva, facilitates compliance and coordination

   • Uses three appendices to categorize species based on trade risk:

   • Appendix I: Species threatened with extinction; trade strictly prohibited

   • Appendix II: Not necessarily threatened but may become so without regulation

   • Appendix III: Species protected in at least one country that seeks assistance in control

   IV. India’s Role and Relevance

   • India is a vocal and active participant at CITES

   • Several key Indian species are listed in Appendices:

   • Appendix I: Tiger, Asiatic Lion, Snow Leopard

   • Appendix II: Indian Python, Star Tortoise, Sandalwood

   • Appendix III: CoP19 proposals by India for Red Sanders and Shisham

   • Implements CITES through the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI)

   • India also hosts the WCCB (Wildlife Crime Control Bureau) and collaborates with CITES for enforcement

   V. Key Initiatives and Developments

   • CoP19 (2022):

   • India proposed moving Red Sanders to Appendix II with stricter conditions

   • Supported global bans on unsustainable trade in sharks and rosewoods

   • E-permitting systems, barcode tagging, and DNA profiling are being implemented for better trade traceability

   • India’s recent actions to regulate live animal trade and stop illegal pangolin exports have been coordinated with CITES guidance

   • National Board for Wildlife & MoEFCC coordinate CITES implementation in India

   VI. Additional Facts

   • CITES does not prohibit trade entirely — it regulates trade through documentation

   • CITES covers over 38,000 species of animals and plants

   • Decisions are binding under international law for member countries

   • Funding via party contributions and voluntary donations

   • Often linked with organizations like TRAFFIC, INTERPOL, UNODC for enforcement

   VII. Relevance for UPSC Exam

   • Prelims:

   • High probability of questions on Appendices I–III, Indian species listings, trade permits, recent CoP decisions

   • Mains (GS3):

   • Topics like biodiversity protection, illegal wildlife trade, and India’s compliance with international agreements

   • Essay & Interview: Useful in discussions on balancing development with conservation, eco-diplomacy, and India’s leadership in global conservation

5. Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)

II. Key Objectives and Mandate

1. The Ramsar Convention aims to conserve and wisely use wetlands through international cooperation and local action. Its core objectives include:

   • Designation of Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Sites)

   • Promotion of sustainable use of wetland ecosystems

   • Integration of wetlands into national planning and development

   • Support for wetlands’ role in climate adaptation, biodiversity, and water regulation

   III. Organizational Structure

   • Conference of Parties (COP) – Held every 3 years; adopts strategic plans and policy tools

   • Standing Committee and Scientific & Technical Review Panel (STRP) – Oversee implementation

   • Ramsar Secretariat – Coordinates global activities, monitors national reports

   • Wetlands are selected based on ecological, botanical, zoological, hydrological, or limnological importance

   IV. India’s Role and Relevance

   • As of 2024, India has 80 Ramsar Sites (a massive increase from just 26 in 2014), ranking among the top countries globally

   • Iconic Indian Ramsar Sites include:

   • Keoladeo National Park, Chilika Lake, Loktak Lake, Wular Lake, Sundarbans Wetland, Asan Conservation Reserve, Haiderpur Wetland, etc.

   • Implemented through MoEFCC, Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017, and State Wetland Authorities

   • India celebrates World Wetlands Day (Feb 2) with awareness and conservation drives

   • Actively contributed to Ramsar COP14 and wetland restoration pledges under Mission Amrit Sarovar and NAMAMI GANGE

   V. Key Initiatives and Developments

   • COP14 (2022):

   • Highlighted nature-based solutions for droughts

   • India presented wetland rejuvenation case studies from UP, Gujarat, and Assam

   • Ramsar Advisory Mission (RAM) visits to Indian sites like Chilika

   • India launched Wetlands of India Portal, National Wetland Inventory and Assessment (NWIA), and Wetlands Mitra Programme

   • Linked to SDGs, especially SDG 6 (Water), SDG 13 (Climate), and SDG 15 (Life on Land)

   VI. Additional Facts

   • Ramsar is the only global treaty focused exclusively on a specific ecosystem

   • Wetlands are recognized for their role in carbon sequestration, groundwater recharge, flood control, and livelihood support

   • The Ramsar Site Information Sheet (RIS) is mandatory for designation

   • India’s fastest-growing Ramsar Site network reflects high-level political commitment

   VII. Relevance for UPSC Exam

   • Prelims:

   • Frequently asked questions on newly designated Ramsar Sites, criteria for selection, and India’s wetland regulations

   • Mains (GS3):

   • Wetland conservation, ecosystem services, role in climate adaptation

   • Integration of conservation with water management and local communities

   • Essay & Interview: Ideal for topics on sustainability, water security, community-led conservation

6. Ramsar Convention on Wetlands