Topic- Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation.
6) COP-24 held at Katowice in Poland, brings little cheer on the climate front for developing countries. Discuss.(250 words)
Why this question
Our future is in a precarious situation. Globally the effects of climate change are being felt with more intensity and severity with each passing year. COP-24, the latest of the climate change negotiations under the Paris Pact framework have been widely criticised for being inadequate in addressing the issue. In this context it is important to discuss the outcomes of the conference, particularly for the developing countries.
Directive word
Discuss- this is an all-encompassing directive which mandates us to write in detail about the key demand of the question. we also have to discuss about the related and important aspects of the question in order to bring out a complete picture of the issue in hand.
Key demand of the question.
The question wants us to write in detail as to why the COP- 24 brings little cheers for the developing countries. We have to discuss the outcomes of the conference in terms of it’s underachievements and limitations.
Structure of the answer
Introduction– write a few introductory lines about the COP-24. E.g mention its relation with the Paris agreement and mention its key outcome- the rulebook for Paris agreement.
Body-
Discuss in points as to how/ why COP-24 brings little cheer on the climate front for developing countries. E.g
- substantial rollback of differentiation between the global North and South in climate action, with uniform standards of reporting, monitoring and evaluation for all countries.
- While all developing nations are ostensibly allowed flexibility in these reporting requirements, the concession has been hedged in with a number of conditions, with the intention of forcing them to full compliance in short order.
- the requirement of reporting as little as 500 kilo tonnes or 0.05% of national emissions per country has little scientific significance.
- a smaller percentage of the emissions of a large emitter will be a larger quantity in absolute terms compared to the larger percentage of emissions of a small emitter.
- As the “rulebook” stands today, private sector flows or loans, which will increase the indebtedness of developing countries, are to be considered adequate fulfilment of developed country obligations under the UNFCCC etc.
Conclusion- based on your discussion, form a fair and a balanced conclusion on the given issue.
