Conference of the Parties (COP)

Context:

Tens of thousands will descend on Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), next week to attend the world’s biggest climate negotiation — Conference of the Parties, better known as COP. The 28thedition of COP is scheduled to be held in Dubai.
Relevance:

GS III: Environment and Ecology

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Conference of the Parties (COP)
2. Paris Agreement (COP 21): A Comprehensive Overview

Conference of the Parties (COP)

Background:

• COP is the annual United Nations (UN) climate meeting.
• Originated from the 1992 Rio Earth Summit where 154 countries signed the UNFCCC.
• Aims to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations to prevent dangerous human-induced interference with the climate system.

Formation and Participants:

• UNFCCC came into force in 1994, leading to annual COP meetings.
• Currently, 198 countries are parties to the Convention.
• Rooted in the success of environmental agreements like the 1987 Montreal Protocol and a 1991 US-Canada agreement on acid rain.

Inaugural COP (COP-1):

• Held in Berlin, Germany, in 1995.
• Focused on implementing the UNFCCC, marking the beginning of annual climate conferences.
• Led to the Kyoto Protocol during COP-3 in Kyoto, Japan.

Kyoto Protocol:

• Agreement during COP-3 placed obligations on rich and industrialized countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
• Kyoto Protocol became a significant outcome of COP meetings.

Objectives of COP Meetings:

• Primary objective is to review progress toward the overarching goal of limiting climate change.
• Addresses global agreements to reduce greenhouse gas emissions causing rising global temperatures.
• Emphasizes negotiations, debates, and occasionally results in new agreements or treaties like the Kyoto Protocol.

Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs):

• Member countries, part of the Paris Agreement (2015), present NDCs at COP meetings.
• NDCs are climate action plans detailing emission cuts and adaptation strategies.
• Reviewed periodically, usually every five years, as a crucial part of COP discussions.

Paris Agreement (COP 21): A Comprehensive Overview

Legal Commitment:

• The Paris Agreement, also referred to as COP21, stands as a legally binding international treaty focusing on climate change.
• It was collectively adopted by 196 parties during the UN Climate Change Conference held in Paris, France, in December 2015.

Effective Commencement:

• The agreement officially came into force on November 4, 2016, marking the initiation of concerted global efforts to combat climate change.

Key Objectives:

• Limit Global Warming:
  • Primary objective is to restrict global warming:
    • Keep the temperature increase below 2°C above pre-industrial levels.
    • Pursue additional efforts to limit the increase to an even more ambitious target of 1.5°C.
• Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction:
  • Aiming for a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2100, contributing to the mitigation of climate change impacts.
• Support for Countries:
  • Strengthening the capacity of countries to effectively cope with the consequences of climate change.
• Financial Support:
  • Providing financial assistance to developing countries to facilitate their efforts in mitigating climate change and adapting to its impacts.

Global Collaboration:

• The Paris Agreement stands as a testament to global collaboration and commitment to address climate change comprehensively.

Historic Accord:

• Recognized as a historic accord due to the unprecedented consensus among nations and the shared determination to combat climate change collectively.

-Source: Indian Express