A PATCHY CLIMATE REPORT

General Studies Paper – 3

Context:

• There were numerous pledges made at the COP28 summit in Dubai, but India decided not to sign any legally-binding agreements and instead to support statements of intent that were centred around low-carbon hydrogen and financial accessibility.
• But because nations are reluctant to codify these endorsements into legally enforceable agreements, questions are raised about these endorsements’ efficacy.

Global Temperature Projections:

• Even if all of this year’s commitments are fulfilled, the UN projects a rise in temperature of 2.5 to 2.9 degrees Celsius.
• Given that the world is expected to rise above the 1.5 degree Celsius limit set at COP21 in Paris eight years ago, this presents a serious issue.

Per Capita Emissions and Country Contributions:

• Sharp differences can be seen when per capita emissions from the Rio Earth Summit are analysed.
• Between 1992 and 2019, the average American produced around 700 tonnes of greenhouse gases, which is more than three times the amount produced globally.
• China must deal with growing emissions from ongoing coal-fired power plant building, while the US must surpass its carbon reduction promises in order to reach climate targets.

Global Emission Contributions:

• With varying degrees of commitment, the G20 countries accounted for 74% of world emissions in 2021.
• Russia hasn’t taken any major steps to reduce emissions, but the EU, Japan, Canada, South Korea, and the UK are actively working to reduce pollution.

Unique Challenges of India, Brazil, and Indonesia:

• With 19% of GHG emissions coming from Brazil, Indonesia, and India, these countries confront particular difficulties because of their relatively small historical contributions to global warming.
• It is unjust to expect these nations to drastically reduce their use of fossil fuels.
• It is recommended that strong nations set high goals and encourage others to do the same.

Economic Viability of Coal and the Role of Natural Gas:

• The cost-competitiveness of renewable energy sources is making coal less economically viable.
• The COP28 language, however, highlights natural gas as a vital bridge fuel while ignoring the substantial role that methane—the main ingredient in natural gas plays in the present warming trend.
• India can contribute to the urgent need to reduce methane emissions by using technology advancements and better water management practices.

India’s Role and Achievements:

• India has made a substantial contribution to the development of the climate discourse by highlighting issues of energy availability, equity, and climate justice.
• The nation has met its 2030 targets ahead of schedule and has cut its emission intensity by 33 percent.
• Aligning policy with sustainable development is still difficult, though.

Hope Amid Challenges:

• There is optimism for the future of COP conferences in the form of global financial support, technical improvements, and national moral pressure.
• But even these might not be enough to prevent a global climate catastrophe, which is why international leaders must work towards stronger pledges.

Conclusion:

• In order to address the approaching climate problem, states are urged to take meaningful action rather than just symbolic gestures, as the analysis highlights the intricacies and difficulties underlying global climate obligations.