2.6. International Conventions and Agreements on Climate
Change
➢ The international conventions and agreements on climate
change have played a crucial role in addressing the urgent
problem of climate change.
➢ The First World Climate Conference held in 1979, which
recognized climate change as a global concern and called for
practical measures to safeguard against potential climate
hazards.
➢ Subsequent conferences and agreements further advanced
the discussions on climate change.
➢ The Toronto Conference on the Changing Atmosphere in
1988, recommended the development of a comprehensive
global framework convention to protect the atmosphere. This
led to the adoption of Resolution 43/53 by the United Nations
General Assembly, acknowledging climate change as a
common concern and emphasizing the need for global action.
➢ To assess the magnitude and impacts of climate change, the
IPCC was published the First Assessment Report in 1990.
This report became a basis for negotiations under the United
Nations General Assembly on a climate change convention.
➢ The IPCC Second Assessment Report, published in 1996,
highlighted the distinct human influence on global climate
and presented strategies for addressing climate-related risks.
➢ The Conference of Parties (COP) is a key component of the
international framework for addressing climate change. It is
the supreme decision-making body of the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and
consists of all the countries that are party to the convention.
➢ COP meetings are held annually, providing a platform for
countries to come together and discuss the progress,
implementation, and future actions related to climate change.
These meetings serve as a forum for negotiations, policy
development, and the adoption of decisions and measures to
address climate change at the global level.
➢ The COP meetings have resulted in significant milestones
and agreements in the international response to climate
change.
➢ COP 6 in 2001 reached the Bonn Agreements, which
included an emissions trading system and financial support
for developing countries.
➢COP 7 in 2001 adopted the Marrakesh Accords, providing
detailed legal texts for implementation.
➢COP 8 in 2002 focused on implementing the Marrakesh
Accords and adopted the Delhi Ministerial Declaration on
Climate Change and Sustainable Development.
➢ COP 9 in 2003 addressed afforestation and reforestation
activities, while COP 10 in 2004 emphasized adaptation to
climate change.
➢The Kyoto Protocol, adopted in 1997 and in force since 2005, set
mandatory targets for greenhouse gas emissions reduction in
developed countries. However, the United States, did not ratify
the protocol, and developing countries were exempted from
emission reductions.
➢ The Paris Agreement, introduced in 2015, marked a significant
milestone with almost all nations committing to voluntary targets
for emission reductions. Under this agreement, countries
regularly report their progress. While the United States initially
announced its intention to withdraw from the Paris Agreement,
there is ongoing reconsideration.
In addition to international agreements, individual countries
and cities have taken independent initiatives to address
climate change. Some countries, including Costa Rica,
Iceland, and Norway, have promised to become carbon
neutral, offsetting their emissions through activities like tree
planting.
➢ To effectively combat climate change, it is essential to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions. This involves:
❖ Transitioning to renewable energy sources like solar, wind,
hydro, and geothermal energy.
❖ Sustainable development practices,
❖ Circular economy principles, and
❖ Responsible consumer choices
