7.2 International Climate Change Negotiations and Agreements

International climate negotiations aim to address global warming through collaborative efforts. These talks have evolved from focusing solely on emissions reduction to encompassing adaptation, finance, and technology transfer. Key agreements like the Kyoto Protocol and Paris Agreement have shaped global climate action.

Challenges in climate negotiations include the global commons problem, differing responsibilities among nations, and domestic political considerations. Developed and developing countries often have conflicting interests, while negotiating blocs and non-state actors play crucial roles in shaping outcomes.

History of Climate Negotiations

Establishment and Evolution of the UNFCCC

Top images from around the web for Establishment and Evolution of the UNFCCC

• 

  The Katowice climate change conference COP 24 Analysis View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Program 1.4: International climate change engagement | DFAT Annual Report 2013-14 View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  G20: Green finance and climate finance | FAQ View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  The Katowice climate change conference COP 24 Analysis View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Program 1.4: International climate change engagement | DFAT Annual Report 2013-14 View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

Top images from around the web for Establishment and Evolution of the UNFCCC

• 

  The Katowice climate change conference COP 24 Analysis View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Program 1.4: International climate change engagement | DFAT Annual Report 2013-14 View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  G20: Green finance and climate finance | FAQ View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  The Katowice climate change conference COP 24 Analysis View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Program 1.4: International climate change engagement | DFAT Annual Report 2013-14 View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

• The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was established in 1992 at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil as the primary international treaty to address climate change
• The Conference of the Parties (COP) is the supreme decision-making body of the UNFCCC and meets annually to review progress and negotiate further actions
• Climate negotiations have progressively shifted from a focus on mitigation to a more comprehensive approach encompassing adaptation, finance, technology transfer, and capacity building

Key Milestones in Climate Negotiations

• Key milestones in the evolution of climate negotiations include the adoption of the Kyoto Protocol in 1997, the Copenhagen Accord in 2009, and the Paris Agreement in 2015
• The Kyoto Protocol, which entered into force in 2005, set legally binding emissions reduction targets for developed countries
• The Paris Agreement adopted a bottom-up approach with nationally determined contributions (NDCs) from all parties

Key Climate Agreements

Kyoto Protocol

• The Kyoto Protocol established a first commitment period (2008-2012) for developed countries to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by an average of 5% below 1990 levels
• A second commitment period (2013-2020) was adopted in 2012
• The Protocol introduced flexibility mechanisms such as emissions trading, the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), and Joint Implementation (JI) to help countries meet their targets

Paris Agreement

• The Paris Agreement aims to strengthen the global response to climate change by keeping global temperature rise well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and pursuing efforts to limit the increase to 1.5°C
• Under the Paris Agreement, all parties are required to submit NDCs outlining their post-2020 climate actions, with a mechanism for reviewing and ratcheting up ambition every five years
• The Paris Agreement also includes provisions on adaptation, loss and damage, finance, technology development and transfer, capacity building, and transparency
• While the Kyoto Protocol and Paris Agreement represent significant milestones, their effectiveness in limiting global warming depends on the level of ambition and implementation by parties

Challenges of Global Climate Action

Global Commons Problem and Differing Responsibilities

• Climate change is a global commons problem, characterized by the tragedy of the commons, where individual countries have incentives to free-ride on the mitigation efforts of others
• Differences in historical responsibility, current emissions, and development levels among countries create tensions in the allocation of mitigation and adaptation burdens
• The principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities (CBDR-RC) seeks to balance the need for global action with the recognition of countries' varying circumstances and capacities

Domestic Considerations and Enforceability

• Domestic political and economic considerations, such as the influence of fossil fuel interests (coal, oil, and gas industries) and concerns about the costs of climate action, can hinder countries' willingness to commit to ambitious targets
• The non-binding nature of the Paris Agreement and the lack of a strong compliance mechanism raise questions about the enforceability and effectiveness of countries' commitments
• Some countries, like the United States, have withdrawn from or failed to ratify key agreements (Kyoto Protocol, Paris Agreement), undermining global cooperation

Roles in Climate Negotiations

Positions of Developed and Developing Countries

• Developed countries, particularly the United States and the European Union, have historically been the largest emitters and are expected to take the lead in reducing emissions and providing support to developing countries
• Developing countries, especially large emerging economies like China and India, argue for their right to development and the need for developed countries to provide financial and technological support for climate action
• The Least Developed Countries (LDCs) group emphasizes the need for adaptation, capacity building, and financial support to address their high vulnerability and low adaptive capacity

Negotiating Blocs and Non-State Actors

• The Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) advocates for ambitious mitigation targets and adaptation support, as they are among the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change (sea-level rise, extreme weather events)
• Negotiating blocs, such as the G77 and China, the Umbrella Group, and the Environmental Integrity Group, coordinate positions and strategies to influence the outcome of negotiations
• The role of non-state actors, including cities, businesses, and civil society organizations, has grown in recent years, with initiatives like the Non-State Actor Zone for Climate Action (NAZCA) showcasing their contributions to climate action