3.4 ENVIRONMENT:GLOBAL WARMING-KYOTO PROTOCOL AND COPENHAGEN ACCORD | G.I | C.A | CSS PMS TIMES
Introduction
Environmental issues have become one of the most urgent challenges facing the world today. Among these, global warming stands out as a major threat to both the planet and humanity. This has prompted nations to come together to find solutions to mitigate its impact and reduce the harmful effects of climate change. International agreements like the Kyoto Protocol and the Copenhagen Accord have attempted to address these issues, but challenges remain in achieving global cooperation and ensuring effective action.
This article explores global warming, Kyoto Protocol, and Copenhagen Accord while focusing on their significance, objectives, and the current situation. The analysis will be particularly useful for CSS aspirants as it provides an understanding of these important environmental topics and their impact on global politics and policy.
1. Global Warming: Causes, Impacts, and Current Situation
1.1 What is Global Warming?
Global warming refers to the long-term increase in the Earth’s average surface temperature due to human activities, primarily the emission of greenhouse gases. These gases trap heat in the atmosphere, causing the planet to warm up. The main greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O). These gases are released primarily through the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and agricultural activities.
1.2 Causes of Global Warming
Burning of Fossil Fuels: The primary cause of global warming is the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas for energy production, transportation, and industry. This releases large amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere.
Deforestation: Trees play a crucial role in absorbing CO2. However, deforestation, especially in tropical regions, reduces the planet’s ability to absorb carbon dioxide, exacerbating global warming.
Agriculture: Agricultural practices, especially livestock farming, release methane, a potent greenhouse gas. The use of synthetic fertilizers also contributes to nitrous oxide emissions.
Industrial Activities: Many industries produce greenhouse gases as by-products, including chemical manufacturing, cement production, and waste disposal.
1.3 Impacts of Global Warming
Rising Temperatures: The most visible impact of global warming is the rise in global temperatures, which affects weather patterns and ecosystems.
Melting Ice Caps and Rising Sea Levels: The warming of the planet is causing glaciers and polar ice caps to melt, contributing to rising sea levels. This poses a threat to coastal cities and low-lying countries.
Extreme Weather Events: Global warming leads to more frequent and severe weather events such as hurricanes, droughts, floods, and heatwaves, affecting both developed and developing countries.
Loss of Biodiversity: Changes in climate patterns disrupt ecosystems, leading to the loss of biodiversity. Species that are unable to adapt to changing conditions face extinction.
Impact on Agriculture: Shifting weather patterns and extreme temperatures can reduce agricultural yields, particularly in developing countries, where farmers depend on stable weather for crops.
1.4 Current Situation and Pakistan’s Challenges
Pakistan, like many other countries, faces significant challenges due to global warming. The country experiences more frequent floods, heatwaves, and droughts, all of which affect agriculture and increase the risk of water scarcity. Pakistan is also highly vulnerable to melting glaciers in the Himalayas, which could lead to water shortages in the future.
Pakistan’s dependence on agriculture and its large population makes it particularly sensitive to the impacts of global warming. Efforts to address these challenges require both domestic action and international cooperation.
2. Kyoto Protocol: A Global Effort to Combat Climate Change
2.1 What Was the Kyoto Protocol?
The Kyoto Protocol was an international treaty adopted in 1997 in Kyoto, Japan, with the goal of reducing global greenhouse gas emissions to combat climate change. It came into force in 2005 and required industrialized countries to reduce their emissions of six key greenhouse gases (CO2, methane, nitrous oxide, HFCs, PFCs, and SF6) by an average of 5.2% below the levels present in 1990.
2.2 Key Features of the Kyoto Protocol
Commitments for Developed Countries: The Kyoto Protocol placed binding emission reduction targets on developed countries, as they were historically responsible for the majority of emissions.
Flexibility Mechanisms: The protocol introduced mechanisms like carbon trading, clean development mechanisms (CDM), and joint implementation to help countries meet their targets more cost-effectively.
Carbon Market: The protocol set up a carbon market where countries could trade carbon credits, which allowed more economically efficient solutions for emission reductions.
Monitoring and Reporting: Countries were required to monitor and report their emissions regularly to ensure compliance with their reduction targets.
2.3 Challenges and Limitations of the Kyoto Protocol
Lack of Participation by Developing Countries: The Kyoto Protocol only set binding targets for developed countries, leaving out major developing nations like China and India, which are now among the world’s largest emitters.
U.S. Withdrawal: The United States, one of the largest greenhouse gas emitters, withdrew from the treaty in 2001 under President George W. Bush, citing concerns about the potential economic impact.
Uneven Progress: While some countries made significant progress in reducing their emissions, others, especially in the developing world, were not obligated to do so. This uneven commitment made it difficult to reach global targets.
Expiration and Transition: The Kyoto Protocol’s first commitment period ended in 2012, and its future was uncertain. This led to the development of subsequent international agreements like the Paris Agreement.
2.4 Pakistan’s Role in the Kyoto Protocol
Pakistan was a signatory to the Kyoto Protocol but was not bound by emission reduction targets, as it is considered a developing country. However, Pakistan has actively participated in climate change discussions and has taken steps to implement policies that address environmental sustainability. Pakistan has also used the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) to gain access to financial resources for climate change adaptation projects.
3. Copenhagen Accord: A Turning Point in Global Climate Policy
3.1 What Was the Copenhagen Accord?
The Copenhagen Accord was reached in 2009 at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP15) in Copenhagen, Denmark. While the agreement did not produce a legally binding treaty like the Kyoto Protocol, it represented an important step in recognizing the need for global action on climate change.
3.2 Key Features of the Copenhagen Accord
Voluntary Emission Reduction Targets: The Copenhagen Accord allowed countries to set their own targets for reducing emissions, with the understanding that global emissions must be reduced to below 2°C above pre-industrial levels to prevent the most severe impacts of climate change.
Financial Commitments: Developed countries pledged to provide $100 billion annually by 2020 to help developing countries mitigate and adapt to climate change. This fund was intended to support projects and initiatives in vulnerable countries.
Adaptation and Mitigation: The Copenhagen Accord focused on both mitigation (reducing emissions) and adaptation (helping countries deal with the effects of climate change).
Transparency and Accountability: The agreement called for greater transparency in tracking emissions reductions and financing commitments.
3.3 Challenges and Criticism of the Copenhagen Accord
Lack of Binding Targets: Unlike the Kyoto Protocol, the Copenhagen Accord did not have binding emission reduction targets for countries, particularly for developing nations. This limited its effectiveness in ensuring global compliance.
Political Disagreements: There was significant disagreement among countries, especially between developed and developing nations, over who should bear the responsibility for emissions reductions and financing. Some developing countries felt that developed countries were not doing enough.
No Comprehensive Agreement: The Copenhagen Accord failed to produce a comprehensive, legally binding global treaty, which many environmental activists and experts saw as a missed opportunity.
3.4 Pakistan’s Position on the Copenhagen Accord
Pakistan, as a developing country, supported the Copenhagen Accord’s focus on financial assistance for adaptation and mitigation efforts. Pakistan argued that developed nations should take the lead in reducing emissions while supporting developing countries in their efforts to address the impacts of climate change. Pakistan also emphasized the importance of climate financing to help vulnerable countries.
4. The Current Situation: Global Efforts and Pakistan’s Challenges
4.1 Global Efforts Post-Copenhagen
Since the Copenhagen Accord, international climate talks have continued under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). One of the most significant outcomes was the Paris Agreement, adopted in 2015, which aims to limit global temperature rise to well below 2°C and pursue efforts to limit the rise to 1.5°C.
While progress has been made with agreements like the Paris Agreement, global emissions continue to rise, and countries are struggling to meet their targets. The urgency of the situation has increased, with scientists warning of increasingly severe impacts if substantial action is not taken.
4.2 Pakistan’s Climate Challenges
Pakistan faces significant challenges in addressing global warming:
Vulnerability to Climate Change: Pakistan is highly vulnerable to climate change, facing extreme weather events such as floods, droughts, and heatwaves. The country’s agriculture, which employs a large portion of the population, is particularly at risk.
Energy Sector Dependence: Pakistan relies heavily on fossil fuels for energy production, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. There is a need to shift toward renewable energy sources like solar and wind.
Climate Adaptation and Mitigation: Pakistan requires financial and technical support to develop climate-resilient infrastructure and mitigate the effects of climate change. The country has also been calling for more equitable global climate action.
Conclusion
Global warming is one of the most significant challenges of our time, and international agreements like the Kyoto Protocol and the Copenhagen Accord have made efforts to combat climate change. However, the world still faces significant challenges in achieving a sustainable future. Countries, including Pakistan, must continue to work together to address the urgent need for climate action.
Pakistan, like other developing nations, is vulnerable to the impacts of global warming and requires support from the international community to reduce emissions and adapt to the changing climate. While there have been some successes, the road ahead will require sustained global cooperation, political will, and meaningful commitments from all countries to address this pressing issue.
