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Major International Climate Agreements Up to 2017
Since the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC, 1992), the world has made several global agreements to combat climate change. Below is a timeline of the key climate agreements up to 2017.
🔹 1. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC, 1992)
✔ Adopted at the Earth Summit (Rio de Janeiro, 1992), the UNFCCC is the foundational treaty for global climate negotiations.
✔ Its goal was to stabilize greenhouse gas (GHG) concentrations to prevent dangerous climate change.
✔ It established Conference of the Parties (COP) meetings, where nations meet annually to discuss climate policies.
🔹 2. Kyoto Protocol (1997, Entered into Force in 2005)
✔ The first legally binding climate treaty, adopted at COP3 in Kyoto, Japan.
✔ Required developed countries (Annex I nations) to cut emissions by an average of 5.2% below 1990 levels during 2008-2012.
✔ Limitations:
- Developing countries, including China and India, had no emission reduction targets.
- The US did not ratify the treaty, citing economic concerns.
✔ Led to the Doha Amendment (2012), extending commitments to 2020.
🔹 3. Bali Action Plan (2007)
✔ Adopted at COP13 (Bali, Indonesia), the plan created a roadmap for future agreements, including the Paris Agreement.
✔ Recognized the need for binding commitments from both developed and developing nations.
✔ Introduced the concept of Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAs) for developing countries.
🔹 4. Copenhagen Accord (2009)
✔ Negotiated at COP15 (Copenhagen, Denmark), but not legally binding.
✔ Acknowledged the goal of limiting global warming to 2°C.
✔ Developed countries pledged $100 billion per year by 2020 to help developing nations.
✔ Countries submitted voluntary emission reduction targets for the first time.
🔹 5. Cancun Agreements (2010)
✔ Adopted at COP16 (Cancun, Mexico).
✔ Established the Green Climate Fund (GCF) to help developing nations combat climate change.
✔ Strengthened REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation).
🔹 6. Durban Platform for Enhanced Action (2011)
✔ Launched at COP17 (Durban, South Africa).
✔ Committed to creating a new global climate agreement that would replace the Kyoto Protocol.
✔ Led to the negotiation of the Paris Agreement.
🔹 7. Paris Agreement (2015, Entered into Force in 2016)
✔ Signed at COP21 (Paris, France).
✔ The first universal climate agreement, with both developed and developing countries agreeing to reduce emissions.
✔ Goal: Limit global warming to well below 2°C, preferably 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
✔ Countries submitted Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) for emission reductions.
✔ Established a 5-year review mechanism to increase climate ambitions over time.
✔ The US withdrew in 2017 under President Trump, but later rejoined under President Biden in 2021.
🔹 8. Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol (2016)
✔ Adopted in Kigali, Rwanda, to phase out hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which are powerful greenhouse gases.
✔ Aimed to reduce HFC emissions by 80-85% by 2050, preventing 0.5°C of global warming.
🔹 9. Marrakech Partnership for Global Climate Action (2016, COP22)
✔ Strengthened the implementation of the Paris Agreement.
✔ Encouraged collaboration between governments, businesses, and NGOs.
🔹 Summary: Progress in Climate Agreements (1992-2017)
| Agreement | Year | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| UNFCCC | 1992 | Foundation of global climate action, annual COP meetings |
| Kyoto Protocol | 1997 | Legally binding emission cuts for developed nations |
| Bali Action Plan | 2007 | Roadmap for future agreements |
| Copenhagen Accord | 2009 | $100 billion climate finance pledge, voluntary targets |
| Paris Agreement | 2015 | Universal, legally binding, 2°C goal, NDCs |
| Kigali Amendment | 2016 | HFC phase-out to prevent 0.5°C warming |
Conclusion
By 2017, the world had made significant progress in climate agreements, especially with the Paris Agreement. However, challenges remained, such as ensuring compliance, securing climate finance, and increasing emission reduction targets.