Global Green Governance

Recent Updates on International Environmental Agreements (Late 2023 - Mid 2024). Explore key decisions, protocols, and India's pivotal role.

Aspirants should continuously update this information for comprehensive preparation.

Navigating the Landscape

Staying abreast of international environmental agreements and conventions is crucial for understanding global environmental governance, its impact on national policies, and India's commitments. This digital explorer provides a snapshot of significant developments from late 2023 to early/mid-2024, offering a framework for continuous learning and analysis.

The dynamic nature of these agreements necessitates regular updates from credible sources to ensure your knowledge remains current and comprehensive. This page serves as a foundational guide to recent events and a methodological tool for your ongoing studies.

Key Recent Updates (Late 2023 - Mid 2024)

UNFCCC/Paris Agreement

Recent Meeting: COP28 (Dubai, Dec 2023)

Key Decisions & Outcomes:

  • Pledge for "transitioning away from fossil fuels in energy systems."
  • Operationalization of the Loss and Damage Fund.
  • Framework established for the Global Goal on Adaptation.

Global Stocktake (GST): First GST concluded, text analyzed for its implications on future Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). Next NDCs due in 2025.

Implementation Status: Focus on acting on GST outcomes, preparing for 2025 NDCs. Loss and Damage Fund capitalization and governance setup initiated.

Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)

Focus Area: Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework (Kunming-Montreal GBF)

Key Developments:

  • National efforts to align National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) with the 23 GBF targets.
  • Early discussions and initiatives for resource mobilization for GBF implementation.
  • Ongoing negotiations on benefit-sharing from the use of Digital Sequence Information (DSI) on genetic resources.

Implementation Status: Countries revising/updating NBSAPs. DSI negotiations are complex and ongoing. Resource mobilization remains a key challenge.

India's Stance: India has an updated NBSAP. Actively participates in DSI negotiations, emphasizing equitable benefit-sharing. Strong advocate for enhanced financial resources for developing countries.

High Seas Treaty (BBNJ Treaty)

Status: Adopted in June 2023.

Key Focus: Signature & Ratification

  • The treaty requires 60 ratifications to enter into force.
  • Focus shifts to countries signing and formally ratifying the agreement.
  • Preparatory commission work underway to lay groundwork for implementation.

India's Stance: India signed the treaty in September 2023, signaling its commitment to marine biodiversity conservation in areas beyond national jurisdiction.

Ratification Progress (Goal: 60)

Track official UN sources for current ratification status.

Global Plastics Treaty Negotiations (INC)

Recent Meeting: INC-4 (Ottawa, April 2024), leading up to INC-5 (Busan, late 2024).

Key Discussion Points & Divergences:

  • Scope of the treaty: Legally binding vs. voluntary measures.
  • Controls on plastic production (polymers) vs. focus on waste management, recycling, and circular economy.
  • Financial mechanisms and technology transfer.
  • Lists of problematic and avoidable plastics.

Progress: Negotiations are intensive and ongoing. Text consolidation and bridging divergent views are key challenges for INC-5.

India's Stance: Generally advocates for a comprehensive approach addressing the full lifecycle of plastics, emphasizing national circumstances, financial support, and technology transfer. Specific positions evolve with negotiations.

Minamata Convention on Mercury

Recent Meeting: COP-5 (Geneva, Oct-Nov 2023)

Key Decisions:

  • Advancements on the first effectiveness evaluation of the Convention.
  • Decisions on thresholds for mercury waste.
  • Review of annexes A (mercury-added products) and B (manufacturing processes using mercury), with some phase-out dates agreed/updated.

Implementation: Parties to implement updated annexes and decisions on waste thresholds. Effectiveness evaluation to guide future actions.

India's Stance: As a party, India participates in COPs and implements convention provisions, including phasing out mercury-added products and controlling emissions according to national plans and capabilities.

CMS (Bonn Convention)

Recent Meeting: COP14 (Samarkand, Uzbekistan, Feb 2024)

Key Outcomes & Decisions:

  • Launch of the first "State of the World’s Migratory Species" report.
  • New species added to CMS Appendices (e.g., Eurasian Lynx, Pallas’s Cat, Guanaco).
  • Adoption of new action plans and guidelines (e.g., on light pollution, linear infrastructure, aquatic wild meat).
  • Resolution on deep seabed mining impacts on migratory species and their habitats.

Implementation: Focus on integrating report findings into national policies, implementing new action plans, and enhancing protection for newly listed species.

India's Stance: India, having hosted COP13, is a strong proponent of migratory species conservation. Actively involved in CMS initiatives relevant to its faunal diversity (e.g., Central Asian Flyway).

Mastering the Updates: Your Guide

Types of Information to Track

Track when India or key global players ratify major MEAs. Note amendments to existing conventions (e.g., Kigali Amendment to Montreal Protocol, Basel Convention amendments for plastic waste).

Significant decisions from Conference of Parties (COPs) or meetings of subsidiary bodies (e.g., CITES Standing Committee, SBSTA/SBI under UNFCCC) are critical.

Monitor new financial pledges, replenishments (e.g., GCF), or operationalization of funds (e.g., Loss and Damage Fund).

Look for reports on compliance or effectiveness of existing agreements. Note new targets or frameworks adopted (e.g., Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework).

Framework for Analyzing Each Update

Name of Convention/Agreement: Identify the specific treaty.
Specific Update/Development: Pinpoint the new amendment, COP decision, ratification, report etc.
Date of Update: Note the timeline for context.
Key Details: Summarize the core substance of the update.
Implications for Global Environmental Governance: Analyze broader impacts.
Implications/Obligations for India: Focus on national relevance.

Illustrative Application (Hypothetical Examples)

India's LT-LEDS to UNFCCC

Details: Key pathways outlined by India for achieving net-zero by 2070, submitted to UNFCCC. This would be analyzed for sectors, policies, and international implications.

CITES CoP Stricter Trade Regulations

Implications: If CITES CoP adopts stricter trade rules for certain species, it impacts international trade, enhances protection, and requires domestic legal alignment in member states like India.

First Replenishment of Loss and Damage Fund

Outcome: Pledges made by developed countries, discussions on governance structure. This would be analyzed for adequacy, accessibility for developing nations, and India's potential role/benefit.

Resources & Preparation

Key Sources for Environmental Affairs

  • Newspapers: The Hindu (Science/Environment), Indian Express (Explained), Business Standard.
  • Magazines: Down To Earth, Geography and You, Science Reporter, Yojana, Kurukshetra.
  • Government Websites: MoEFCC, CPCB, NBA, WII, ZSI, BSI, NITI Aayog, PIB.
  • International Org. Websites: UNFCCC, CBD, UNCCD, UNEP, IPCC, IPBES, IUCN, WWF, World Bank, FAO.
  • Reputable News Portals: Mongabay, Carbon Brief, The Third Pole, India Climate Dialogue.
  • Legislative Research: PRS Legislative Research (for Indian Bills/Acts).

Tips for Effective Preparation

Make it a daily habit to read environmental news.
Use a framework (like the one suggested) for notes.
Connect current events with static syllabus (e.g., pollution incident with laws).
Understand context and importance.
Pay special attention to how global events affect India or India's stance.
Revise current affairs notes regularly.
Understand UPSC's question patterns in Environment current affairs.