India’s Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) delineates areas along its expansive coastline, aiming to balance environmental conservation with sustainable development. Within this framework, certain beaches permit specific activities, fostering tourism, livelihoods, and recreation. These activities, including water sports, fishing, and eco-tourism ventures, offer economic opportunities while preserving the coastal ecosystem. However, the CRZ rules have faced scrutiny for their complexity and enforcement challenges, leading to issues such as encroachments, illegal constructions, and inadequate monitoring. Balancing the needs of coastal communities, environmental conservation, and economic development remains a persistent challenge within the CRZ paradigm.
PARIS SUMMIT – 2015
key outcomes of the Paris Agreement:
- The Paris Agreement took effect in 2016 following ratification by 55 countries representing at least 55% of global emissions. India ratified the agreement in 2016, and by 2019, over 180 countries had done the same.
- Major polluters made commitments known as Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs).
- The primary goal of the Agreement was to limit the rise in global average temperature to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, with efforts to further constrain the increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
- Developed nations reiterated their pledge to mobilize $100 billion annually in climate finance by 2020 to assist developing countries in addressing climate change.
- The Agreement established a Global Stocktake every five years to evaluate collective progress toward its objectives and guide additional actions by participating parties.
- Despite previously announcing its withdrawal, the United States has since rejoined the Paris Agreement.
COP 22/CMP 12/CMA 1 – Marrakech Summit:
- COP 22 was known as the “Action COP” or “Agricultural COP,” during which the Adaptation of African Agriculture (AAA) initiative was launched.
- Discussions were held on “Orphan Issues” mentioned in the Paris Agreement but not assigned to another body for further consideration.
- Directions were given to conduct an early stocktake through a “Facilitative Dialogue.”
- Several nations submitted “Mid-Century Strategies” to combat climate change, leading to the launch of the ‘2050 Pathway Platform’ to assist other countries in developing their strategies.
COP 23/CMP 13/CMA 1-2 – Bonn Summit (Chaired by Fiji):
- Fiji became the first small-island state to host the UNFCCC climate talks.
- The Gender Action Plan, emphasizing the role of women in climate action, was introduced.
- The Local Communities and Indigenous People’s Platform (LCIPP) was launched to integrate people and their knowledge systems into building climate resilience.
- The Ocean Pathway Partnership was established, formally recognizing the links between oceans and climate change.
- The Talanoa Dialogue was initiated to assist countries in implementing and enhancing their Nationally Determined Contributions by 2020.
- The Powering Past Coal Alliance was launched, led by the UK and Canada, aiming to accelerate clean growth and phase out traditional coal power.
- The InsuResilience Global Partnership, a joint initiative of G7, G20, and V20 countries, was launched to enhance the resilience of developing nations against climate risks.
COP 24/CMP 14/CMA 1-3 – Katowice Summit:
- The Conference agreed on a “work program for implementation” (guidelines/rulebook) for the Paris Agreement, which will come into force in 2020.
- The rulebook will outline how governments will measure and report on their emission reduction efforts.
COP 25/CMP 15/CMA 2 – Madrid Summit (Chaired by Chile):
- The summit, originally planned in Chile, focused on oceans and was referred to as the “blue COP.”Â
- It emphasized that the climate situation is no longer a crisis but an “emergency.” Additionally, the UK and Ireland declared a climate emergency.
- The “Santiago Network” was established to provide technical assistance to the most vulnerable countries.
FAQs about UNFCCC Summits After the Paris Summit 2015
1. What are the key outcomes of the Paris Agreement?
A: The Paris Agreement, effective since 2016, aims to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, with efforts to further constrain the increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Major polluters committed to Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs), and developed nations pledged to mobilize $100 billion annually by 2020 in climate finance to assist developing countries. Additionally, the Agreement established a Global Stocktake every five years to evaluate collective progress and guide further actions.
2. What initiatives were launched at the Marrakech Summit (COP 22)?
A: COP 22, known as the “Action COP” or “Agricultural COP,” saw the launch of the Adaptation of African Agriculture (AAA) initiative. Discussions were held on “Orphan Issues” from the Paris Agreement, and directions were given to conduct an early stocktake through a “Facilitative Dialogue.” Several nations submitted “Mid-Century Strategies,” leading to the launch of the ‘2050 Pathway Platform’ to assist countries in developing their strategies.
3. What were the key highlights of the Bonn Summit (COP 23), chaired by Fiji?
A: Fiji, hosting the UNFCCC climate talks for the first time, emphasized the role of women in climate action through the Gender Action Plan. The Local Communities and Indigenous People’s Platform (LCIPP) was launched to integrate indigenous knowledge into building climate resilience. Additionally, the Ocean Pathway Partnership was established to recognize the links between oceans and climate change.
4. What was agreed upon at the Katowice Summit (COP 24)?
A: The Conference agreed on a “work program for implementation” (guidelines/rulebook) for the Paris Agreement, which will come into force in 2020. This rulebook will outline how governments will measure and report on their emission reduction efforts.
5. What was the focus of the Madrid Summit (COP 25), chaired by Chile?
A: The Madrid Summit, known as the “blue COP” due to its focus on oceans, emphasized that the climate situation is now an “emergency.” The UK and Ireland declared a climate emergency during this summit. Additionally, the “Santiago Network” was established to provide technical assistance to the most vulnerable countries.
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