International Agreements on Climate Change

Choose the Correct Answer

Correct Answer : Option d

Explanation
Pair 1 is correctly matched: The Kyoto Protocol was adopted in 1997 and came into force in 2005. It introduced legally binding emission reduction targets only for developed countries (Annex I nations), while developing countries had no such commitments.

Pair 2 is correctly matched: The Paris Agreement (2015), adopted at COP21 in Paris, required all nations (both developed and developing) to submit Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to reduce emissions. Unlike the Kyoto Protocol (1997), which imposed legally binding targets only on developed nations (Annex I countries), the Paris Agreement treats all countries equally under a common framework.
However, NDCs themselves are not legally binding, meaning there are no penalties for failing to meet the targets.
Reporting and transparency mechanisms were made mandatory, requiring nations to regularly submit progress reports on their NDCs to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
India’s Updated NDC (2022) – Key Targets (NDC 2)
India submitted its updated NDCs to the UNFCCC in August 2022, aligning with the Panchamrit commitments announced by PM Modi at COP26 (Glasgow, 2021).
Key Targets in NDC 2:
● Emission Intensity Reduction: India aims to reduce the emission intensity of its GDP by 45% by 2030, compared to 2005 levels.
● Renewable Energy Expansion: India aims to achieve 50% of its cumulative electric power capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy sources by 2030.
Additional Climate Commitments (Beyond NDCs):
● Net Zero by 2070: India aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070.
● Green Hydrogen Mission: India is promoting the use of green hydrogen as a clean energy alternative.
● LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) Movement: Encouraging sustainable consumption and climate-conscious behavior.

Pair 3 is correctly matched: The Cancun Agreements were adopted at COP16 (2010).
They emphasized climate finance, adaptation, and capacity building for developing countries.The Green Climate Fund (GCF) was established to mobilize $100 billion per year for climate finance. However, no legally binding commitments were imposed on any country.

Pair 4 is correctly matched: The Bali Road Map, adopted at COP13 in 2007, laid the foundation for post-Kyoto climate negotiations, eventually leading to the Paris Agreement (2015). It included the Bali Action Plan, which emphasized key areas such as mitigation, adaptation, technology transfer, and climate finance. However, it did not establish legally binding emission targets; instead, it served as a strategic framework guiding future global climate action.