Climate Ambition Summit 2023 | 26 Sep 2023

For Prelims: Climate Ambition Summit, Paris Agreement, India's Climate Commitments

For Mains: Climate commitments made by India, Significance of international climate summits in advancing global climate action and cooperation.

Source: TH

Why in News?

The United Nations Climate Ambition Summit (CAS) held in United Nations Headquarters, New York on 20th September 2023, aimed to accelerate climate action as a prelude to the 28th Conference of Parties (COP28) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change(UNFCCC).

  • However, China, the US and India , who collectively account for about 42% of global greenhouse gas emissions and are the top three emitters in that order were all absent from the CAS.

What is the Climate Ambition Summit (CAS)?

  • About:
    • The CAS is a prominent international event aimed at addressing the pressing issue of climate change.
    • The CAS is designed to showcase “first mover and doer” leaders from government, business, finance, local authorities, and civil society who came with credible actions, policies and plans – and not just pledges – to accelerate the decarbonization of the global economy and deliver climate justice.
    • The central aim of the CAS is to uphold the Paris Agreement's 1.5°C temperature limit, which seeks to prevent severe climate consequences by capping global warming at 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
  • Participants at the Summit:
    • A total of 34 states and 7 institutions had speaking slots, including India's neighbouring countries Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Pakistan, as well as emerging economies like South Africa and Brazil.
    • Key players such as the European Union, Germany, France, and Canada also addressed the audience.
  • Criteria for Participation:
    • Countries were required to present updated pre-2030 Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), net-zero targets, and energy transition plans.
    • Commitments to no new coal, oil, and gas projects, fossil fuel phase-out plans, and ambitious renewable energy targets were expected.
    • Countries were urged to pledge to the Green Climate Fund and provide economy-wide plans for adaptation and resilience.
  • Highlights of the Summit:
    • Updated Climate Goals:
      • Brazil pledged to reinstate its original 2015 climate goals, emphasizing the need for more ambitious measures and a transition away from fossil fuels.
      • Nepal aimed for Net Zero emissions by 2045 instead of 2050, while Thailand targeted Net Zero by 2050, and Portugal set a carbon-neutral goal for 2045.
      • All G-20 governments were asked to commit to presenting more ambitious NDCs featuring absolute emissions cuts by 2025.
      • The summit emphasized the need to deliver climate justice, particularly to communities on the front lines of the climate crisis who are disproportionately affected.
    • Other Announcements:
      • Canada, which was one of the largest expanders of fossil fuels in 2022, announced the development of an emissions cap framework for the oil and gas sector.
      • The EU and Canada call for global carbon pricing to cover at least 60% of emissions.
      • Current carbon pricing mechanisms cover only 23% of emissions, generating USD 95 billion.
      • In another development, Germany announced the launch of the International Climate Club, which it will co-chair with Chile, aiming to decarbonise industrial sectors and scale up green growth.
      • The CAS highlighted the importance of comprehensive plans addressing adaptation and resilience across entire economies.

Paris Climate Accord

  • Legal status: It is a legally binding international treaty on climate change.
  • Adoption: It was adopted by 196 countries at the Conference of the Parties COP 21 in Paris in December 2015.
  • Goal: To limit global warming to well below 2° Celsius, and preferably limit it to 1.5° Celsius, compared to pre-industrial levels.
  • Objective: To achieve the long-term temperature goal, countries aim to reach global peaking of greenhouse gas emissions as soon as possible to achieve a climate-neutral world by mid-century.
  • India is a signatory to the Paris Agreement. India reaffirmed its commitment to the agreement in August 2022 by submitting an updated NDC to the UNFCCC. The NDC outlines India's goals for 2021–2030.

What are India's Climate Commitments?

  • In 2022, India updated its climate pledges to reduce emissions intensity by 45% from 2005 levels by 2030. This is a 10% increase from its previous 2016 pledge. The updated pledge is part of India's NDCs.
  • India sets 2030 target to produce 50% of its energy need through non-fossil fuels.
  • India aimed to create an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of CO2-equivalent by 2030.
  • India pledged to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070.

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)

Prelims

Q. With reference to ‘Global Climate Change Alliance’, which of the following statements is/are correct? (2017)

  1. It is an initiative of the European Union.
  2. It provides technical and financial support to targeted developing countries to integrate climate change into their development policies and budgets.
  3. It is coordinated by the World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD).

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: (a)

Mains

Q.Describe the major outcomes of the 26th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). What are the commitments made by India in this conference? (2021).

Q. ‘Climate change’ is a global problem. How India will be affected by climate change? How Himalayan and coastal states of India will be affected by climate change? (2017).