Climate Change and Paris Agreement Notes for UPSC

Climate change means a long-term change in the average temperature and weather patterns of the Earth. Since the Industrial Revolution, human activities, mainly burning coal, oil and gas, have increased the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and warmed the planet by about 1.1 to 1.2 degrees Celsius. This brings heat waves, floods, droughts, rising seas and a loss of biodiversity. Climate change is among the most frequently asked topics in the UPSC Civil Services Examination, in Prelims (agreements, bodies, terms) and in Mains (India's position, climate justice, adaptation and finance). This note explains the topic and the Paris Agreement in simple language.

Greenhouse Effect and Global Warming

The Earth is kept warm by a natural blanket of gases. Sunlight reaches the Earth, the surface warms up and sends heat back as infrared radiation, and greenhouse gases trap part of this heat. This natural greenhouse effect makes life possible; without it the Earth would be about 33 degrees colder. The problem is the enhanced greenhouse effect, where extra gases from human activity trap more heat. The main gases are carbon dioxide (from fossil fuels and deforestation), methane (from paddy fields, cattle, landfills and gas leaks), nitrous oxide (from fertilisers) and fluorinated gases (from refrigerators and air conditioners). Methane traps far more heat than carbon dioxide over a short period, while carbon dioxide stays in the air for a very long time.

Effects of Climate Change

Higher temperatures melt glaciers and polar ice, which raises the sea level and threatens coastal cities and island nations. Weather becomes extreme: stronger cyclones, heavier rain in a short time, longer heat waves and deeper droughts. Oceans become warmer and more acidic, which bleaches corals and harms fish. Farming suffers because crops are sensitive to heat and rainfall, so food security is at risk. India is especially vulnerable because of its long coastline, the Himalayan glaciers that feed major rivers, a large farming population and the monsoon, which can become erratic. Health impacts include heat stress and the spread of diseases like malaria and dengue to new areas.

Global Climate Governance: Timeline

The UNFCCC has 198 parties, its secretariat is in Bonn, and the annual meeting is called the Conference of the Parties (COP). The IPCC does not do its own research; it assesses published science and releases Assessment Reports, and it won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007.

The Paris Agreement, 2015

The Paris Agreement was adopted at COP21 in December 2015 and entered into force in November 2016. Its central goal is to keep the rise in global average temperature well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit it to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Unlike Kyoto, which bound only developed countries, Paris covers all countries, but each decides its own contribution, called the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC). The NDCs are updated every five years with a "ratchet" principle, meaning each new target must be stronger than the last. Countries report progress under an Enhanced Transparency Framework, and a Global Stocktake is done every five years. The agreement also covers adaptation, finance (developed countries promised 100 billion US dollars a year, a target that was met late and is now replaced by a new larger goal), technology transfer and loss and damage. Article 6 sets rules for carbon markets.

Key Principles

CBDR-RC (Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities) says all countries must act, but developed countries, which caused most of the historic emissions, must do more. Climate justice and equity are the connected ideas. The polluter pays principle and the precautionary principle also guide policy. India always stresses that per capita emissions of the developed world are far higher and that developing countries need space to grow.

India's Climate Commitments

India is the third largest emitter in absolute terms but its per capita emissions are far below the world average. At COP26 in Glasgow (2021), the Prime Minister announced the Panchamrit goals: reach 500 GW of non-fossil electricity capacity by 2030; meet 50 percent of energy needs from renewables by 2030; cut projected carbon emissions by one billion tonnes by 2030; reduce the carbon intensity of the economy by 45 percent by 2030 compared with 2005; and reach Net Zero by 2070. India's updated NDC is aligned with these aims. Other steps include the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) with eight missions (such as the National Solar Mission), the International Solar Alliance started with France in 2015, the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, the Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment), the National Green Hydrogen Mission, and the Indian Carbon Market being developed under the Energy Conservation Act amendments.

Mitigation and Adaptation

Mitigation means reducing the causes of climate change, by shifting to renewable energy, improving energy efficiency, protecting forests and using carbon capture. Adaptation means adjusting to the effects that are already happening, by building flood-resistant homes, climate-resilient crops, early warning systems and better water management. Developing countries need more money for adaptation, which is why finance is the most argued point at every COP. Key tools include carbon credits, carbon tax, the Green Climate Fund and carbon sinks such as forests, which absorb carbon dioxide. The EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), which taxes carbon-heavy imports, is opposed by India as unfair trade protection.

Important Terms for Prelims

• Carbon footprint: the total greenhouse gases caused by a person or product.
• Carbon neutrality: balancing emitted carbon with removal. Net zero is the same idea for all greenhouse gases.
• Global Warming Potential (GWP): a measure to compare gases against carbon dioxide.
• Montreal Protocol (1987): protects the ozone layer; the Kigali Amendment (2016) phases down HFCs.
• Loss and Damage: compensation for harm that cannot be avoided or adapted to.

How to Write a Mains Answer

Begin by stating the problem in one line with a data point. Then explain the global framework (UNFCCC, Kyoto, Paris) and India's stand on equity and CBDR. Show what India has done at home through solar power, electric mobility and afforestation. Give one criticism, such as the heavy dependence on coal for power and the gap between targets and finance. Close with a balanced way forward that combines clean energy, technology transfer, climate finance and individual action. Such an answer covers science, policy and ethics, which is what examiners look for.

Climate Finance and the Developing World

Money is the hardest part of climate action. Cutting emissions and building defences against floods and heat costs a great deal, and poorer countries say they did not cause the problem but suffer the most. Developed countries promised to provide climate finance, but the amounts have often been late, small and given as loans instead of grants. Funds such as the Green Climate Fund and the Adaptation Fund exist to support projects, and the Loss and Damage Fund was created to help vulnerable nations recover from disasters. India argues that finance and technology transfer must come without conditions, and that any new global target should be based on the real needs of developing countries. For a Mains answer, always show that climate action and development are linked, because a country that cannot afford clean energy may stay locked into cheap coal.

Role of Individuals and Local Bodies

Global treaties matter, but daily choices and local action count too. Saving electricity, using public transport, avoiding food waste, planting trees and choosing reusable products reduce emissions. Cities can improve building codes, waste management and green spaces, and villages can adopt solar pumps and water conservation. Mission LiFE encourages such mindful living, and it is a good example to quote in answers on India's approach. Add that the poor often contribute least to the problem, so policies must be fair and must not burden them unfairly.

Quick Revision

• Paris Agreement: 2015, well below 2 degrees and pursue 1.5 degrees; NDCs; global stocktake every five years.
• India: net zero by 2070; 500 GW non-fossil capacity by 2030; Panchamrit; Mission LiFE.
• UNFCCC 1992 (Bonn); Kyoto 1997; IPCC 1988; CBDR principle.

Climate change links science, economy and justice. Learn the timeline, the Paris goals and India's targets, update them with the latest COP outcomes, and you will be well prepared for both papers.

Related Notes to Read Next

Continue your preparation with these related notes from the same subject:

• Ecosystem and Food Chain Notes for UPSC
• Environmental Pollution Notes for UPSC
• Protected Areas, Ramsar Sites and Wildlife Laws Notes for UPSC
• All Environment and Ecology notes

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is climate change?

Climate change is a long-term shift in the average temperature and weather patterns of the Earth, mainly caused today by greenhouse gases from human activities.

What is the Paris Agreement?

The Paris Agreement is a 2015 global treaty under the UNFCCC that aims to keep global warming well below 2 degrees Celsius and to pursue 1.5 degrees Celsius.

What is an NDC?

A Nationally Determined Contribution is a plan submitted by each country that sets out its own targets to reduce emissions and adapt to climate change.

What is the difference between the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement?

Kyoto set legally binding emission targets only for developed countries, while Paris asks all countries to set their own targets.

What is CBDR?

Common but Differentiated Responsibilities means that all countries must fight climate change, but developed countries have a greater duty because of their historic emissions.

What is the IPCC?

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, formed in 1988, is the UN body that assesses climate science and publishes assessment reports.

What is the net zero target of India?

India has announced that it will reach net zero emissions by the year 2070.

What is Panchamrit?

Panchamrit is the set of five climate goals announced by India at COP26 in 2021, including 500 GW non-fossil capacity and net zero by 2070.

What is a carbon sink?

A carbon sink is a natural or artificial system that absorbs more carbon dioxide than it releases, such as forests, oceans and soil.

What is the Global Stocktake?

It is a review done every five years under the Paris Agreement to assess the collective progress of countries towards the climate goals.

What is the International Solar Alliance?

It is a treaty-based organisation of solar-rich countries launched by India and France in 2015, with the headquarters in Gurugram.

What is mitigation and adaptation?

Mitigation is reducing the causes of climate change, such as emissions. Adaptation is adjusting to its effects, such as building flood defences.