IPCC Reports and Equity in Climate Change Mitigation

• 19 Mar 2024

For Prelims: UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), Integrated Assessment Models (IAMs), Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS), UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

For Mains: IPCC Reports and Equity in Climate Change Mitigation, Environmental pollution and degradation.

Source: TH

Why in News?

Recently, a study delved into over 500 future emissions scenarios evaluated by the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). These scenarios offer projections for the world's climate trajectory.

• The findings of the study shed light on the significant inequities within the projected pathways of climate action of the IPCC Reports.

What are IPCC Assessment Reports?

• About:
  • The IPCC regularly releases comprehensive assessment reports that synthesise scientific literature on climate change.
  • These reports encompass three working group assessments focusing on physical science, climate adaptation, and mitigation actions, along with a synthesis report consolidating their findings.
• Assessment of Future Scenarios:
  • The IPCC uses ‘modelled pathways’ to estimate what it will take to limit the warming of the earth’s surface.
    • These pathways are drawn using Integrated Assessment Models (IAMs) that describe human and earth systems.
    • IAMs are complex models that examine possible futures of the energy and climate systems and economies.
  • Its macroeconomic models can point to future growth levels in terms of GDP (Gross Domestic Product); its energy models can project future consumption; vegetation models can examine land-use changes; and earth-system models use the laws of physics to understand how climate evolves.
  • With such integration across disciplines, IAMs are meant to provide policy-relevant guidelines on climate action.
  • However, these models also have shortcomings. They prioritise least-cost assessments,
    • For example, the absolute cost of setting up a solar plant or undertaking afforestation in India is lower than in the US.
    • However, experts have suggested facilitating a scenario of enabling countries to equitably share the burden of Climate action, with wealthier nations taking on more immediate and comprehensive mitigation measures.

What are the Findings of the New Study?

• Researchers analyzed 556 scenarios in the IPCC's AR6 report and found troubling projections. They predict that by 2050, regions encompassing 60% of the world's population, including Sub-Saharan Africa and South, West, and East Asia (except China), will still have below the global average per-capita GDP.
  • Similar disparities in consumption of goods, energy, and fossil fuels exist between the Global North and South.
• Moreover, these scenarios indicate that developing nations will shoulder a heavier burden in terms of carbon sequestration and Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technologies.
  • This unfairly places the responsibility for mitigation and carbon dioxide removal on poorer countries.
• The researchers criticise the scenarios for ignoring the historical responsibility of wealthier nations and failing to address the energy needs of the Global South to achieve development goals.
  • This highlights significant inequities within the projected pathways of climate action.

Why Does Equality Matters in Tackling Climate Change?

• Historical Responsibility:
  • Wealthier nations, particularly those in the Global North, have historically contributed the most to greenhouse gas emissions through industrialisation and economic development.
  • These historical emissions have disproportionately contributed to climate change.
  • Recognising this historical responsibility is essential in addressing climate change fairly.
• Vulnerability of Developing Countries:
  • Developing countries, often the least responsible for greenhouse gas emissions, are the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. They often lack the resources and infrastructure to adapt to climate change-related challenges such as extreme weather events, sea-level rise, and changing agricultural conditions.
  • Equity considerations are crucial in ensuring that vulnerable communities receive the necessary support and resources to adapt to climate change impacts.
• Access to Resources:
  • Access to resources for mitigation and adaptation efforts is unequal between developed and developing countries.
  • Wealthier nations generally have greater financial resources, technological capabilities, and infrastructure to invest in renewable energy, climate-resilient infrastructure, and adaptation measures.
  • Equity ensures that developing countries have equitable access to Climate funding, technology transfer, and capacity-building support to address climate change effectively.
• Social Justice:
  • Climate change exacerbates existing social inequalities and injustices. Vulnerable communities, including marginalised groups, indigenous peoples, and low-income populations, often bear the brunt of climate impacts.
  • Equity in climate action involves addressing these social injustices and ensuring that climate policies and measures benefit all members of society, particularly those most affected by climate change.
• Global Cooperation:
  • Achieving meaningful progress in addressing climate change requires global cooperation and solidarity.
  • Equity principles, such as common but differentiated responsibilities, foster cooperation by acknowledging the varying capacities and responsibilities of countries in addressing climate change.
  • Ensuring equity in climate action builds trust and fosters collaboration among nations to work towards shared climate goals.

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)

• About:
  • The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is the international body for assessing the science related to climate change.
  • It was set up in 1988 by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to provide policymakers with regular assessments of the scientific basis of climate change, its impacts and future risks, and options for adaptation and mitigation.
  • IPCC assessments provide a scientific basis for governments at all levels to develop climate-related policies, and they underlie negotiations at the UN Climate Conference – the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
• IPCC Assessment Report:
  • Since 1988, the IPCC has had six assessment cycles and delivered six Assessment Reports, the most comprehensive scientific reports about climate change produced worldwide. They are,
    • First Assessment Report (FAR) (1990).
    • The Second Assessment Report (SAR) (1995)
    • Third Assessment Report (TAR) (2001)
    • Fourth Assessment Report (AR4) (2007)
    • The Fifth Assessment Report (AR5) (2014)
    • The Sixth Assessment Report (AR6) (2023)
    • The IPCC is currently (2024) in its Seventh Assessment cycle (AR7).

Conclusion

• The analysis of IPCC scenarios and the principles outlined in the UNFCCC highlights significant disparities in climate action responsibilities between developed and developing nations.
• Despite the principles of equity and differentiated responsibilities, current mitigation pathways often overlook the historical and economic realities of nations.
• Moving forward, it's imperative to recalibrate climate action strategies to prioritise equity and fairness. This entails acknowledging the historical responsibility of wealthier nations and ensuring that mitigation efforts do not disproportionately burden less developed regions.

UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question (PYQ)

Prelims

Q. With reference to the Agreement at the UNFCCC Meeting in Paris in 2015, which of the following statements is/are correct? (2016)

1. The Agreement was signed by all the member countries of the UN, and it will go into effect in 2017.
2. The Agreement aims to limit greenhouse gas emissions so that the rise in average global temperature by the end of this century does not exceed 2ºC or even 1.5ºC above pre-industrial levels.
3. Developed countries acknowledged their historical responsibility in global warming and committed to donate $ 1000 billion a year from 2020 to help developing countries to cope with climate change.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: B

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Mains

Q. Describe the major outcomes of the 26th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). What are the commitments made by India in this conference? (2021)