The 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference or Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC, more commonly known as COP28, was held from 30 November until 12 December at Expo City, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

The COP28 meet has delivered some important outcomes. However, like all previous COPs, it still remained an underachiever, unable to measure up to the expectations.

COP Climate Summit

• In 1992, at the Rio Earth Summit, 154 countries signed a multilateral treaty called the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
• It aimed to stabilise greenhouse gas concentrations “at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic (human-induced) interference with the climate system.”
• The treaty came into force two years later, and since then, countries which are part of the UNFCCC, meet every year at different venues.
• Today, there are 198 ‘parties’ or signatories of the Convention.

• Between 30 Nov to 12 Dec 2023, the Government of the United Arab Emirates hosted the 28^th Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC (COP-28).

Key Outcome of the COP28

• Overall, there is not enough in the final agreement to accelerate climate action in the short term.
• Fossil Fuel phase-out:
• The role of fossil fuels in causing global warming had never been even acknowledged in any earlier COP decision, but this was getting increasingly untenable.
• After much deliberations, the final agreement called upon countries to contribute towards “transitioning away” from fossil fuels, “so as to achieve net zero by 2050”.
• There were no time schedules and no targets. Some countries were extremely disappointed that the term “fossil fuel phase-out” had not been used.
• Tripling of renewable energy:
• This was an expected outcome, and the only one that contributes to additional emission reductions between now and 2030.
• The COP28 agreement calls upon countries to contribute to tripling of global installed capacity of renewable energy, and doubling of annual improvements in energy efficiency.
• Together, these two measures have the potential to avoid emissions of about 7 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent between now and 2030.
• Tripling is a global target, and it is not incumbent on every country to individually triple its current installed capacity.
• It is thus not clear how this tripling would be ensured.
• Phase-down of coal:
• Despite being a fossil fuel, just like oil or natural gas, coal has received a separate mention in the agreement.
• This is because coal was already singled out for phase-down in the Glasgow conference (COP26) in 2021.
• There was a move to stipulate that no new coal fired power plants could be opened without an in-built carbon capture and storage facility, but this was strongly resisted by India, China, South Africa and other countries.
• It was dropped, and finally the Glasgow language was reiterated.
• There is nothing about how this phase-down is to be measured, or from what baseline.
• Methane Emission cuts:
• Methane is the most widespread greenhouse gas apart from CO2, accounting for nearly 25 per cent of all emissions.
• It is also about 80 times more potent than CO2 in causing global warming.
• Methane emission reductions can therefore bring substantial benefits.
• However, several countries, including India, are extremely opposed to any mandate to cut methane emissions, mainly because one of the major sources happens to be agriculture and livestock.
• Cutting methane emissions could involve tweaking agricultural patterns which could be extremely sensitive in a country like India.
• Possibly in deference to the concerns of such countries, the agreement does not mention any targets for methane emission cuts for the year 2030.
• Loss & Damage fund:
• For the poor and vulnerable countries, this was the most important outcome.
• A decision to set up a Loss and Damage Fund had been taken last year in COP27 but it had not been created, and no money had been promised.
• COP28 operationalised this fund on the opening day of the conference, and several countries, including hosts UAE, made funding commitments.
• By the end of the conference, commitments worth about US$ 800 million had been made.
• The money is meant to provide financial help to countries trying to recover from climate-induced disasters.
• Global Goal on Adaptation:
• This was another important step developing countries had been waiting for.
• Historically, adaptation hasn’t received enough attention, or resources, as compared with mitigation activities, mainly because adaptation is largely a local endeavor. Its benefits also are mostly local.
• Developing countries had been arguing that a global framework for adaptation was necessary to bring more attention to it.
• COP28 adopted the framework, but much more needs to be done on this front, particularly in identifying the indicators to measure progress on each of the global goals.
• The adaptation agreement currently lacks financial provisions, and countries would need to continue working on it to strengthen it in the coming years.

Major Engagements of India in COP 28

• Green Credit Initiative: Promoting Pro-Planet Actions

In response to the pressing challenge of climate change, the Green Credit Initiative emerges as a visionary mechanism. This initiative aims to incentivize voluntary pro-planet actions by issuing Green Credits for plantations on waste/degraded lands and river catchment areas. The ultimate goal is to rejuvenate and revive natural ecosystems through collective efforts.

• Phase II of the Leadership Group for Industry Transition (LeadIT 2.0): Toward Inclusive Industry Transition

In its second phase, the Leadership Group for Industry Transition (LeadIT 2.0) is set to address the imperative of an inclusive and just industry transition.

The focus lies on the co-development and transfer of low-carbon technology, along with financial support to emerging economies for a smooth industry transition.

This phase aims to foster sustainability and equitable development on a global scale.

• Global River Cities Alliance (GRCA): India''s Commitment to Sustainable River-Centric Development

Launched at COP 28, the Global River Cities Alliance (GRCA) is spearheaded by the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India.

This alliance underscores India''s pivotal role in sustainable river-centric development and climate resilience.

By facilitating knowledge exchange, river-city twinning, and disseminating best practices, GRCA seeks to drive positive change in managing river ecosystems.

• Quad Climate Working Group (QCWG) on Localised Climate Action: Empowering Local Communities

The Quad Climate Working Group (QCWG) recently convened to amplify the role of local communities and regional governments in supporting sustainable lifestyles.

This event recognized the significance of localized climate action and sought to empower communities to contribute actively to climate resilience.

By fostering collaboration and understanding, QCWG aims to drive meaningful change at the grassroots level.

Challenges India facing at the COP28 Climate Summit

• Cooling Pledge: India is reportedly hesitant to sign a global pledge to reduce cooling-related emissions at the COP28 climate summit, citing the need for affordable cooling in the world’s most populous country.

• Luxury emissions:  India has been called to reduce “luxury emissions,” encompassing emissions from sectors like oil and gas and waste, contributing to Methane Emissions. 
• This demand requires a nuanced approach considering the impact on various sectors and India’s broader developmental goals.
• Loss and Damage Finance: A new CSE-Down to Earth assessment revealed that India witnessed an extreme weather event almost every other day in the first nine months of this year. Therefore, India’s emphasis would be on “loss and damage finance”.
• Coal dependence and fossil fuel phase-out: India’s reliance on coal for power production remains a contentious issue. Immediate shutdown proposals for coal-fired power plants clash with India’s emphasis on energy security.
• For Example, about 73 percent of electricity consumed in India is produced using coal.
• India’s Stance on Emission Reduction: India will not agree to any proposal that asks to reduce its emissions. As India’s climate actions are framed in terms of emissions intensity, or emissions per unit of GDP, and not on emissions directly.
•  India also rejects any suggestions to define a peak, or a peak year, for its emissions.
• Agricultural Emission Cuts and Food Security: The agriculture sector, along with animal husbandry, accounts for close to 15% of India’s annual emissions. 
• Agreeing to emission cuts from agriculture could mean changes in cropping patterns and have huge implications for India’s food security.
• Therefore, cutting down on methane emissions for India could be a point of contention at the COP28 climate summit.
• Financial support for renewable energy: While India transitions towards cleaner energy sources, securing financial support for green energy corridors and grid infrastructure development is imperative. 
• The financial assistance needed aligns with the G20 New Delhi Leaders Declaration, emphasizing the requirement for significant funds

COPs are crucial in the battle against climate change but the road ahead is both challenging and promising. Its success requires collective determination, unwavering commitment, and a recognition that the stakes are high. By embracing determined contributions and forging genuine partnerships, the global community can build a sustainable and resilient future.

PYQs

1. Consider the following statements: [2023]

Statement-I: Carbon markets are likely to be one of the most widespread tools in the fight against climate change.

Statement-II: Carbon market transfer resources from private sector to the State.

Which of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

1. a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I.
2. b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I.
3. c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect.
4. d) Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct.

2.The Partnership for Action Green Economy (PAGE), a UN mechanism to assist countries transition towards greener and more inclusive economies, emerged at: [2018]

1. a) The Earth Summit on Sustainable Development 2002, Johannesburg
2. b) The United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development 2012, Rio De Janeiro
3. c) The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change 2015, Paris
4. d) The World Sustainable Development Summit 2016, New Delhi

3.With reference to ‘Agenda 21’, sometimes seen in the news, consider the following statements: [2016]

1. It is a global action plan for sustainable development
2. It originated in the World Summit on Sustainable Development held in Johannesburg in 2002.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. a) 1 only
2. b) 2 only
3. c) Both 1 and 2
4. d) Neither 1 nor 2

4.With reference to the Agreement at the UNFCCC Meeting in Paris in 2015, which of the following statements is/are correct? [2016]

1. The Agreement was signed by all the member countries of the UN and it will go into effect in 2017.
2. The Agreement aims to limit the greenhouse gas emissions so that the rise in average global temperature by the end of this century does not exceed 2⁰C or even 1.5⁰C above pre-industrial levels.
3. Developed countries acknowledged their historical responsibility in global warming and committed to donate $ 1000 billion a year from 2020 to help developing countries to cope with climate change.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1. a) 1 and 3 only
2. b) 2 only
3. c) 2 and 3 only
4. d) 1, 2 and 3

5.Regarding ‘carbon credits” , which  one of the following statements is not correct ? [2011]

1. a) The carbon credit system was ratified in conjunction with the Kyoto protocol.
2. b) Carbon credits are awarded to countries or groups that have reduced greenhouse gases below their emission quota.
3. c) The goal of the carbon credit system is to limit the increase of carbon dioxide emission.
4. d) Carbon credits are traded at a price fixed from time to time by the United Nations environment programs.