Reforming the UNFCCC Process

General Studies Paper-3

Context

As the world grapples with intensifying climate crises, the credibility and effectiveness of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) process have come under scrutiny.

About the UNFCCC

• It is the foundational international treaty that guides global efforts to combat climate change.
• It was adopted in 1992 at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, it has since become the bedrock of climate diplomacy, shaping agreements like the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement.

Institutional Framework

• Conference of the Parties (COP): The supreme decision-making body that meets annually to assess progress and negotiate new commitments.
• Subsidiary Bodies:
  • Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA): Provides scientific and technological advice
  • Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI): Supports implementation and reviews national reports
• Secretariat: Facilitates negotiations, supports implementation, and maintains transparency through data and reporting systems.

Major Milestones of the UNFCCC Process 

• Protocol and Implementation:
  • 1997: Kyoto Protocol adopted — first legally binding emission reduction targets
  • 2005: Kyoto Protocol enters into force
  • 2012: Doha Amendment adopted, extending Kyoto commitments
• Paris Agreement Era:
  • 2015: Paris Agreement adopted at COP21 — aims to limit global warming to well below 2°C
  • 2023: First Global Stocktake – First comprehensive review of climate progress

Why Is UNFCCC Reform Urgent?

• Stalled Progress: Despite decades of negotiations, global emissions continue to rise, and climate finance commitments remain unmet.
• Consensus Paralysis: The UNFCCC’s consensus-based decision-making gives every country veto power, often diluting outcomes and delaying action.
• Withdrawal of Key Players: The recent exit of the United States under President Trump has further eroded trust in the process.
• Climate Finance Bottleneck:
  • Current Target: $100 billion annually—far below the estimated $1.3 trillion needed.
  • New Pledge: Developed countries offered $300 billion per year starting 2035, which many see as insufficient.

Proposed Reforms To UNFCCC

• At Bonn Climate Meeting (June 2025):
  • Agenda Simplification: Eliminate overlapping or redundant items to focus on core issues.
  • Team Size Limits: Reduce delegation sizes to improve efficiency.
  • Time Management: Restrict statement lengths to allow more time for negotiations.
• By Civil Society Groups:
  • Majority-Based Decisions: Replace consensus with majority voting when agreement is elusive.
  • COP Host Criteria: Bar countries with poor climate records from hosting COP summits.
  • Fossil Fuel Influence: Limit participation of polluting industries in negotiations.
  • Increased Transparency: Ensuring that climate decisions are made in public and are subject to independent review.
  • Stronger Accountability Mechanisms: Holding countries accountable for unmet commitments.
• Brazil’s Leadership at COP30:
  • Trust Building: Issued a letter urging parties to reflect on the future of the UNFCCC process.
  • Multilateral Synergy: Proposed integrating climate action across UN agencies and financial institutions.
  • 30-Point Agenda: Outlined key areas for accelerating climate action.
  • BRICS’ Call for Climate Justice: At a recent BRICS summit in Brazil, it released a joint declaration on climate finance. The statement reiterated the demand for:
• Full delivery of existing climate finance commitments by developed nations.
• A substantial increase in adaptation finance, which remains significantly underfunded compared to mitigation efforts.