Environment & Ecology by Rushikesh Dudhat

Important Organisations ( Part 1)

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 • Created by UN in 1983 under chairmanship of Gro Harlem
Brundtland former PM of Norway.
Brundtland • Also known as World Commission on Environment and
Commission Development (WCED).
• In 1987 published a report, OUR COMMON FUTURE , also
known as the Brundtland Report,
• The document popularized (and defined) the term
"Sustainable Development“
• The Brundtland Commission's characterization of 'sustainable
development' is development that meets the needs of the
present generations without compromising the ability of
future generations to meet their own needs.
• After releasing their report, Our Common Future, the
Brundtland Commission called for an international meeting.
This meeting was held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
• A comprehensive plan of action, known as Agenda 21, came
out of the meeting.
• Agenda 21 entailed actions to be taken globally, nationally, and
locally in order to make life on Earth more sustainable going
into the future

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 Also known as Biodiversity Convention is a multilateral treaty
Convention on Opened for signature on 5 June 1992 in Rio De Janeiro & Entered
Biological Diversity into force in 1993
Signatories : 168
Parties : 196
USA has signed but not ratified the treaty
It is legally binding
Convention has 3 main goals :
1. Conservation of biological diversity
2. Sustainable use of its components; and
3. Fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from genetic
resources

CBD has two supplementary agreements - Cartagena

Protocol and Nagoya Protocol.

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Cartagena Protocol
• Also known as Biosafety protocol is an international agreement.
• Came into force in 2003.
• Seeks to protect biological diversity from the potential risks posed by living modified organisms resulting
from modern biotechnology. Genetically Modified Organisms can be regulated under this protocol.
• The protocol defines a 'living modified organism' as any living organism that possesses a novel combination
of genetic material obtained through the use of modern biotechnology,
• Living organism' means any biological entity capable of transferring or replicating genetic material, including
sterile organisms, viruses and viroids.
• 'Modern biotechnology' is defined in the Protocol to mean the application of in vitro nucleic acid
techniques, or fusion of cells beyond the taxonomic family, that overcome natural physiological reproductive
or recombination barriers and are not techniques used in traditional breeding and selection.
• Establishes AIA (Advance Informed Agreement) so that countries can make informed decisions before
agreeing import of such organisms.
• Also BIOSAFETY CLEARING HOUSES to facilitate exchange of information on LMOs.
• Based on Precautionary Approach.

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• The precautionary principle (or precautionary approach) is a strategy for
approaching issues of potential harm when extensive scientific knowledge on the
matter is lacking. It emphasizes caution, pausing and review before leaping into
new innovations that may prove disastrous.
• Principle 15 of RIO DECLERATION states that "In order to protect the
environment, the precautionary approach shall be widely applied by States
according to their capabilities. Where there are threats of serious or irreversible
damage, lack of full scientific certainty shall not be used as a reason for
postponing cost-effective measures to prevent environmental degradation.“
• the first endorsement of the principle was in 1982 when the World Charter for
Nature was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly,
• while its first international implementation was in 1987 through the Montreal
Protocol. Soon after, the principle integrated with many other legally binding
international treaties such as the Rio Declaration and Kyoto Protocol.

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Nagoya Protocol

• Adopted in Conference of Parties 10 (CoP-10) (2010) at

Nagoya, Japan
• It deals with access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and
Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization
to the Convention on Biological Diversity.
• Also covers traditional knowledge associated with Genetic
Resources.
• Provides legal framework to implementation of 3rd
objective of CBD.
• It is a supplementary agreement to the Convention on
Biological Diversity.
• The Strategic Plan consists of 20 new biodiversity targets
for 2020, termed the 'Aichi Biodiversity Targets'

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Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020

The tenth meeting of the Conference

This Plan provides an overarching
of the Parties, in October 2010, in
framework on biodiversity, not only
Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan,
for the biodiversity-related
adopted a revised and updated
conventions, but for the entire United
Strategic Plan for Biodiversity,
Nations system and all other partners
including the Aichi Biodiversity
engaged in biodiversity management
Targets, for the 2011-2020 period.
and policy development.

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 • It is a multilateral Treaty also known as
Washington Convention
• Participation is voluntary
• It is legally binding on the Parties, but
it does not take the place of national
United Nation laws.
Convention on • Opened for sign : 1973
International Trade in • Its aim is to ensure that international
Endangered Species trade in specimens of wild animals and
of Wild Fauna and plants does not threaten the survival of
the species in the wild, and it accords
Flora (UN-CITES) varying degrees of protection to more
than 35,000 species of animals and
plants.

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It classifies plants and animals according to three
categories, or appendices, based on how threatened :

1. Appendix I: It lists species that are in danger of

extinction. It prohibits commercial trade of
these plants and animals except in extraordinary
situations for scientific or educational reasons.

2. Appendix II: They are those that are not

threatened with extinction but that might
suffer a serious decline in number if trade is The day of adoptation of CITES is celebrated as
not restricted. Their trade is regulated by permit. World Wildlife Day on 3rd March.

3. Appendix III: They are protected in at least

one country that is a CITES member states and
that has petitioned others for help in controlling
international trade in that species.

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Current

• 18th COP of CITES was held in Geneva,

Switzerland.
• Indian Star Tortoise ( VULNERABLE ) was
included in Appendix 1 from Appendix II.
One of the most trafficked tortoise species in
the world. It is listed in schedule IV of
wildlife protection act, 1972.
• The Indian star tortoise is found in dry areas
and scrub forest in India, Pakistan and Sri
Lanka.
• Tokay Gecko found in India, Bhutan and
Burma was included in Appendix-2.

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 Refer Class Notes:

Rio + 20 :
Sustainable
Stockholm Development
Rio Earth Summit
Decleration : UNEP Goals.

1987 2002

1972 1992 2012

OUR COMMON World Summit on

FUTURE. Sustainable
Development,
Johannesburg

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Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change ( IPCC ):-

• This is an intergovernmental body (scientific body)under the UN

• Established in 1988 by WMO (World Meteorological Organisation) and UNEP
• It produces report based on scientific developments across the world. The IPCC produces
reports that contribute to the work of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change (UNFCCC), the main international treaty on climate change.
• The IPCC does not carry out its own original research, nor does it do the work of monitoring
climate or related phenomena itself. The IPCC bases its assessment on the published literature.
• It was awarded the Nobel peace prize in 2007
• IPCC functions under UNFCC
• The aims of the IPCC are to assess scientific information relevant to :
1. Human-induced climate change,
2. The impacts of human-induced climate change,
3. Options for adaptation and mitigation.

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19
UNFCCC : United Nation Framework Convention on Climate Change

• UNFCCC is an international environment treaty opened for signature in Rio Earth Summit,
1992. It entered into force on 21st March 1994.
• Secretariat is located in Bonn, Germany.
• The UNFCCC objective is to "stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a
level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system".
• The convention is legally non-binding but makes provisions for meeting called ‘protocols’
where negotiating countries can set legally binding limits.
• The parties to the convention have met annually from 1995 in Conferences of the
Parties (COP) to assess progress in dealing with climate change
• Kyoto Protocol was negotiated under this framework.(1997)
UNFCCC UN-CBD

RIO EARTH SUMMIT 1992

UNCCD

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 Parties to UNFCCC are classified as: • Turkey was removed from the Annex II list in 2001
at it’s request to recognize its economy as a
transition economy.
• Annex I countries: Industrialized countries • Non Annex I countries: Developing countries.
(Developed) and Economies in Transition (EIT). Developing countries are not required to reduce
EITs are the former centrally-planned (Soviet) emission levels unless developed countries supply
economies of Russia and Eastern Europe. There enough funding and technology.
are 43 Annex-I countries including EU.
• Least Developed Countries (LDCs)
• Annex I countries which have ratified the Protocol
have binding commitments to reduce their
emission of greenhouse gases to targets that are
mainly set below their 1990 levels..
• Annex II countries: Sub-group of Annex- I
countries. These are 24 developed countries
(OECD Members).
• Annex II Parties are required to provide financial
and technical support to the EITs and developing
countries to assist them in reducing
their greenhouse gas emissions (mitigation) and
climate change adaptation
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 Kyoto Protocol
• It is an international treaty negotiated under UNFCC
• Adopted in 1997 in Kyoto, Japan
• Came into force in 2005
• Parties : 192 (Canada withdrew)
• It gave binding targets to Annex I countries
• The Kyoto Protocol implemented the objective of the UNFCCC to fight global warming by reducing
greenhouse gas concentrations
• The Protocol is based on the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities: it puts the obligation
to reduce current emissions on developed countries on the basis that they are historically responsible for
the current levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
• The Protocol’s first commitment period started in 2008 and ended in 2012
• By 2008-2012, Annex 1 countries have to reduce their GHG emissions by an average of 5% below their
1990 levels (for many countries, such as the EU member states, this corresponds to some 15% below their
expected GHG emissions in 2008).

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 • Target under this protocol applies to following GHGs:

1. Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Do sources

2. Methane (CH4) from Class
3. Nitrous Oxide (NO2) Notes
4. Sulphur Hexafluoride (SF6)
5. Two groups of gases : Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) &
Perfluorocarbons (PFCs)

• Kyoto Protocol includes "flexible mechanisms“. These mechanisms allow

Annex 1 economies to meet their GHG targets by purchasing GHG
emission reductions from elsewhere.
• Annexe- 1 parties would be able to reduce their emission reduction
targets by using flexible mechanisms.

(A second commitment period was agreed on in 2012, known as the Doha

Amendment to the protocol. This has not entered into force as required
number of nations has not ratified this amendment.)

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Flexible Mechanisms are

1. Clean Development Mechanisms: from projects

which reduce emissions in non-Annex 1
economies.

Annex – 1 country -> Non Annex-1 country

2. Joint Implementation: Allows Annexe 1 country to

invest in emission reduction project in any other
Annexe-1 country.
Both CDM & JI are project-based Mechanisms.

3. Emission Trading : Industrialized nations buy and

sell Emission Credits. This is market-based
mechanism.

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 Paris Agreement
• It is an agreement under UNFCC. It deals with greenhouse gases emissions mitigation, adaptation
and finance starting in the year 2020.
Opened for signature on 22 April 2016 (Earth Day) at UN headquarters , New York.
Aims:
1. Holding the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2 °C above pre-industrial
levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels,
recognizing that this would significantly reduce the risks and impacts of climate change;
2. Increasing the ability to adapt to the adverse impacts of climate change and foster climate
resilience and low greenhouse gas emissions development, in a manner that does not threaten
food production;
3. Making finance flows consistent with a pathway towards low greenhouse gas emissions and
climate resilient development
The contribution that each individual country should make in order to achieve the worldwide goal are
determined by all countries individually and called "nationally determined contributions" (NDCs)
• These targets will not be binding as it is not possible to enforce them.
• NDCs will be revised after 5 years in 2023
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India and Paris agreement:-

• India is 3rd largest emitter of GHGs after

China and USA. But our carbon footprint is
low.
• India’s NDCs are
1. Reduce its carbon emission intensity -
emission per unit of GDP - by 33-35%
from 2005 levels over 15 years.
2. Producing 40% of its installed electricity
capacity by 2030 from non-fossil fuels.
3. To create additional carbon sink of 2.5 -3
billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent through
additional forest and tree cover.

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 India’s Progress:-

The National Electricity Policy finalized in

2018 forecasts a decline in fossil fuel capacity
from 218GW or 67% of 2017 installed
capacity to 264GW or just 43% of total
installed capacity by 2027.
The emissions intensity of GDP, India has been
able to bring it down by 21% below 2005
levels by 2014. At this average annual rate of
2%, India will meet its Paris goal nearly a
decade ahead of 2030.
However, as regards the forestry goal, India’s
achievements are not as robust.

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 GEF

CLIMATE
FINANCE

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Global Environment Facility

• It is an independently operating financial organization.

• Was setup as a fund under World Bank in 1991. In 1992, at the Rio
Earth Summit, the GEF was restructured and moved out of the
World Bank system to become a permanent, separate institution.
• Since 1994, however, the World Bank has served as the Trustee of
the GEF Trust Fund and provided administrative services.
• GEF serves as financial mechanism for :
1. Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
2. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
(UNFCCC)
3. UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)
4. Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)
5. Minamata Convention on Mercury

• Secretariat: Washington, D.C.

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 Governance Structure of GEF

• The GEF Assembly is composed of all 183 member countries.

• The GEF Council is the main governing body of the GEF. It
comprises 32 members appointed by constituencies of GEF
member countries (14 from developed countries, 16 from
developing countries and 2 from economies in transition). Council
develops, adopts and evaluates the operational policies and
programs for GEF-financed activities.
• The GEF Secretariat is based in Washington, D.C. and reports
directly to the GEF Council and Assembly, ensuring that their
decisions are translated into actions.
• The GEF Scientific and Technical Advisory Panel (STAP) provides
the GEF with scientific and technical advice on policies, operational
strategies, programs and projects.
• The GEF Independent Evaluation Office (GEF IEO) reports directly
to the Council. The Office undertakes independent evaluations of
GEF impact and effectiveness.
• GEF Agencies are the operational arm of the GEF. They work closely
with project proponents

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Green Climate Fund

• It is a fund within the framework of UNFCCC.

• Founded to assist developing countries in adaptation and mitigation practices to counter climate
change.
• First mention of concept in Copenhagen Accord in CoP-15.
• Formed formally in CoP-16 at Cancun, Mexico in 2010.
• WB is chosen as a temporary trustee of the fund.
• HQ : Incheon, South Korea
• It is intended to be the centrepiece of efforts to raise Climate Finance of $100 billion a year by
2020. This is not an official figure for the size of the Fund itself, however.

U.S. President Donald Trump criticized the Green Climate Fund, calling it a scheme to redistribute
wealth from rich to poor countries.

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Capacity-Building Initiative for Transparency (CBIT) Fund

• CBIT is an outcome of the UNFCCC's Paris agreement in 2015 and expected to address the issue of
transparency.
• The CBIT will aim to strengthen the institutional and technical capacities of developing countries to meet
the enhanced transparency requirements in the Paris Agreement, leading up to 2020 and beyond.
Objectives:
1. To help developing countries monitor and report the progress on their climate actions.
2. Strengthening of national institutions of participating members in transparency related activities with
respect to the Nationally Determined Contributions
3. To bring transparency in the financial help, technology transfer and capacity building support by the
developed countries to developing countries. Both have to provide relevant information.
• The fund will be set up by the GEF, with financial support from the developed nations like US, UK, Canada
etc.
• World Bank has been requested to act as the trustee for the fund, who was also a trustee of GEF.

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