CoP15 (Copenhagen Summit)

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  • Main aim was to establish a global Climate agreement for the period from 2012 when the first commitment period under the Kyoto Protocol expires
  • The conference did not achieve any binding agreement for long term action
  • A ‘political accord’ was negotiated by approximately 25 parties
    • Collective commitment by developed countries for new and additional Resources , including Forestry and investments through international institutions to a tune of $30 bn for the period 2010-12.
  • Copenhagen Accord
    • Not legally binding and does not commit countries to agree to a binding successor to the Kyoto Protocol
    • Annex 1 parties would commit to economy-wide emissions targets for 2020 to be submitted by 31 Jan 2010. Delivery of reductions and finance by developed countries will be measured , reported and verified (MRV) in accordance with COP guidelines
    • Non-annex 1 countries would implement Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions to slow their carbon emissions
    • Commits $30 bn for 2010-12
    • Copenhagen Green Climate Fund
    • The accord shall be assessed in 2015

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The United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP15) was held in Copenhagen, Denmark, from 7 to 19 December 2009. The conference was attended by over 190 countries and resulted in the Copenhagen Accord, which was a non-binding agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The main topics of discussion at COP15 were adaptation, mitigation, finance, technology, capacity building, Transparency and Accountability, loss and damage, Equality/”>Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women, indigenous peoples, local communities, non-governmental organizations, business and Industry, science and technology, Education, public awareness and capacity building, Communication and information, institutional framework, implementation and compliance, and further work.

Adaptation refers to the actions taken to reduce the vulnerability of people and systems to the impacts of climate change. Mitigation refers to the actions taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and slow the rate of climate change. Finance refers to the provision of financial resources to help countries adapt to and mitigate climate change. Technology refers to the development and transfer of technologies that can help countries adapt to and mitigate climate change. Capacity building refers to the strengthening of the ability of countries to adapt to and mitigate climate change. Transparency and accountability refers to the need for countries to be transparent in their actions on climate change and to be accountable for their commitments. Loss and damage refers to the costs that are incurred as a result of climate change that cannot be avoided through adaptation. Gender equality and empowerment of women refers to the need to ensure that women have equal access to resources and opportunities in order to adapt to and mitigate climate change. Indigenous peoples refers to the need to respect the rights of indigenous peoples and to involve them in decision-making on climate change. Local communities refers to the need to involve local communities in decision-making on climate change. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) refers to the need to involve NGOs in decision-making on climate change. Business and industry refers to the need to involve business and industry in decision-making on climate change. Science and technology refers to the need to use science and technology to help countries adapt to and mitigate climate change. Education, public awareness and capacity building refers to the need to educate the public about climate change and to build capacity to adapt to and mitigate climate change. Communication and information refers to the need to improve communication and information on climate change. Institutional framework refers to the need to strengthen the institutional framework for climate change. Implementation and compliance refers to the need to ensure that countries implement and comply with their commitments on climate change. Further work refers to the need to continue working on climate change after COP15.

The Copenhagen Accord was a significant step forward in the fight against climate change. However, it was not a legally binding agreement and it did not go far enough to address the problem of climate change. More work is needed to ensure that countries take the necessary steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and slow the rate of climate change.

The following are some of the key achievements of COP15:

  • The Copenhagen Accord was adopted, which was a significant step forward in the fight against climate change.
  • A new climate fund was established, which will provide financial resources to help countries adapt to and mitigate climate change.
  • A new technology mechanism was established, which will help countries access and transfer technologies that can help them adapt to and mitigate climate change.
  • A new transparency framework was established, which will help countries track their progress on climate change.
  • A new adaptation framework was established, which will help countries adapt to the impacts of climate change.

The following are some of the key challenges that remain after COP15:

  • The Copenhagen Accord is not a legally binding agreement, which means that countries are not legally obligated to implement its provisions.
  • The Copenhagen Accord does not go far enough to address the problem of climate change.
  • More work is needed to ensure that countries take the necessary steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and slow the rate of climate change.
  • More work is needed to ensure that the new climate fund is adequately funded and that it is used effectively.
  • More work is needed to ensure that the new technology mechanism is effective in helping countries access and transfer technologies that can help them adapt to and mitigate climate change.
  • More work is needed to ensure that the new transparency framework is effective in tracking countries’ progress on climate change.
  • More work is needed to ensure that the new adaptation framework is effective in helping countries adapt to the impacts of climate change.

Despite the challenges that remain, COP15 was a significant step forward in the fight against climate change. The Copenhagen Accord provides a framework for future negotiations and it sets out some important goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and helping countries adapt to the impacts of climate change. More work is needed to ensure that the Copenhagen Accord is implemented effectively, but it is a positive step forward in the fight against climate change.

What is climate change?

Climate change is the long-term shifts in temperature and typical weather patterns in a place. Climate change could refer to a particular location or the planet as a whole. Climate change may cause weather patterns to be less predictable. A region might experience lower or higher than Average temperatures. Climate change may cause more frequent and severe weather events, such as storms, floods and droughts.

What are the Causes of Climate Change?

The main cause of climate change is human activity. The burning of fossil fuels, such as coal, oil and gas, releases greenhouse gases into the Atmosphere. Greenhouse gases trap heat from the sun, which warms the planet. Other human activities that contribute to climate change include deforestation, agriculture and industrial processes.

What are the effects of climate change?

Climate change is already having a significant impact on the planet. The average global temperature has increased by about 1 degree Celsius since the late 19th century. This warming is causing a number of changes, including:

  • Rising sea levels: As the Earth’s temperature warms, the ice caps and Glaciers are melting, causing sea levels to rise. This is leading to flooding in coastal areas and erosion of beaches.
  • More extreme weather events: Climate change is making extreme weather events, such as storms, floods and droughts, more frequent and severe. These events can cause widespread damage and loss of life.
  • Changes in plant and animal life: Climate change is also affecting plant and animal life. Some species are moving to new areas in order to find suitable habitats. Others are facing extinction.

What can be done to address climate change?

There are a number of things that can be done to address climate change. These include:

  • Reducing greenhouse gas emissions: The most important thing that can be done to address climate change is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This can be done by switching to RENEWABLE ENERGY sources, such as solar and wind power, and by improving Energy Efficiency.
  • Adapting to climate change: In addition to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, it is also important to adapt to the effects of climate change that are already happening. This includes measures such as building sea walls to protect coastal areas from flooding and developing drought-resistant crops.
  • Investing in research and development: More research is needed to understand the causes and effects of climate change and to develop effective solutions. Governments and businesses should invest in research and development in this area.

What is the Paris Agreement?

The Paris Agreement is an international treaty on climate change. It was adopted by 195 countries in December 2015 and entered into force in November 2016. The agreement’s goal is to limit Global Warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase even further to 1.5 degrees Celsius. The agreement also aims to increase the ability of countries to deal with the impacts of climate change.

What is the role of the United Nations in addressing climate change?

The United Nations plays a leading role in addressing climate change. The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is the main international treaty on climate change. The UNFCCC was adopted in 1992 and entered into force in 1994. The UNFCCC’s goal is to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system. The UNFCCC also provides a framework for countries to negotiate and implement their commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The UNFCCC has been successful in bringing countries together to address climate change. However, more needs to be done to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to adapt to the effects of climate change. The Paris Agreement is a significant step forward, but it is only a first step. More needs to be done to implement the agreement and to ensure that its goals are met.

  1. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is an international environmental treaty with the goal of stabilizing greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system. The UNFCCC was adopted on 9 May 1992 at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and entered into force on 21 March 1994. As of November 2021, 197 parties have ratified the UNFCCC.

  2. The Kyoto Protocol is an international treaty that sets binding targets for industrialized countries and the European community to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Kyoto Protocol was adopted at the third Conference of the Parties (COP 3) to the UNFCCC in Kyoto, Japan, in December 1997, and entered into force on 16 February 2005. As of November 2021, 197 parties have ratified the Kyoto Protocol.

  3. The Paris Agreement is an international treaty on climate change. The agreement was adopted by consensus on 12 December 2015 at COP 21 in Paris, France, and entered into force on 4 November 2016. As of November 2021, 197 parties have ratified the Paris Agreement.

  4. The Conference of the Parties (COP) is the supreme decision-making body of the UNFCCC. The COP meets annually to review the implementation of the UNFCCC and to take decisions on how to address climate change.

  5. The Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) is one of the two subsidiary bodies of the UNFCCC. The SBSTA provides scientific and technological advice to the COP.

  6. The Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI) is one of the two subsidiary bodies of the UNFCCC. The SBI provides advice to the COP on the implementation of the UNFCCC.

  7. The Adaptation Fund is a financial mechanism of the UNFCCC. The Adaptation Fund provides financial resources to developing countries to help them adapt to the impacts of climate change.

  8. The Green Climate Fund is a financial mechanism of the UNFCCC. The Green Climate Fund provides financial resources to developing countries to help them mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change.

  9. The Clean Development mechanism (CDM) is a flexible mechanism of the Kyoto Protocol. The CDM allows industrialized countries to earn credits by investing in projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions in developing countries.

  10. The Joint Implementation (JI) is a flexible mechanism of the Kyoto Protocol. JI allows industrialized countries to earn credits by investing in projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions in other industrialized countries.

  11. The Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (Redd+) is a policy approach and a set of related actions aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, and the role of conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing countries.

  12. The Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are the commitments that countries have made to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. The NDCs are submitted to the UNFCCC and are reviewed every five years.

  13. The Long-Term Cooperative Action (LCA) is a long-term strategy for addressing climate change. The LCA is based on the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities.

  14. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a set of 17 goals that were adopted by the United Nations in 2015. The SDGs are aimed at achieving a better and more sustainable future for all.

  15. The Paris Agreement is a landmark agreement that was adopted by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Paris in 2015. The Paris Agreement aims to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase even further to 1.5 degrees Celsius. The Paris Agreement also aims to increase the ability of countries to adapt to the impacts of climate change and to make finance flows consistent with a pathway towards low greenhouse gas emissions and climate-resilient development.

  16. The 26th Conference of the Parties (COP 26) to the UNFCCC was held in Glasgow, Scotland, from 31 October to 12 November 2021. COP 26 was a critical meeting for the international community to take action on climate change. The outcome of COP 26 was a mixed bag, with some progress made but also some disappointments.

  17. The Glasgow Climate Pact is the outcome document of COP 26. The Glasgow Climate Pact includes a number of commitments, including a commitment to phase down coal power and to accelerate the phase-