Lesson 6.5: International Environmental Agreements

International environmental agreements are crucial for global cooperation in protecting the environment and addressing issues like climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.

Major Agreements:

1. Paris Agreement (2015):

   • Objective: Limit global temperature rise to below 2°C.

   • Key Point: Countries submit Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) for emission reduction.

2. Kyoto Protocol (1997):

   • Objective: Binding targets for industrialized countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

   • Key Point: Flexibility mechanisms – carbon trading, Clean Development Mechanism (CDM).

3. Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD):

   • Objective: Conservation of biodiversity, sustainable use of resources, equitable benefit-sharing.

   • India ratified CBD in 1994.

4. Montreal Protocol (1987):

   • Objective: Phase-out ozone-depleting substances like CFCs.

   • Key Success: Global reduction in ozone layer depletion.

5. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC):

   • Objective: Global framework to prevent dangerous human interference with climate.

   • Basis for COP conferences and agreements like Paris.

Key Points for Revision:

• Paris Agreement – temperature control and emission targets

• Kyoto Protocol – binding emission reductions

• CBD – biodiversity conservation

• Montreal Protocol – ozone protection

• UNFCCC – framework for global climate cooperation

Example Question (Prelims Practice):

• “Which agreement aims to limit global warming below 2°C?” → Paris Agreement

• “Which protocol focuses on reducing ozone-depleting substances?” → Montreal Protocol