lec 9 - INTL climate negotiations and adoption of SDGs

rio summit/UN conference 1992

led to 3 conventions and sustainable development goals

• convention on biological diversity (CBD)

• convention of desertification (UNCCD)

• convention of climate change (UNFCCC)

• sustainable development goals

what is a un convention

international agreement btwn different countries thats legally binding to the contracting states

CBD (bio diversity)

Objectives: conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components, and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from commercial and other utilization of genetic resources. The agreement covers all ecosystems, species, and genetic resources

UNCCD (combat desertification)

Convention to combat desertification and mitigate the effects of drought through national action programs that incorporate long-term strategies supported by international cooperation and partnership arrangements

UNFCCC (UNF triple C, climate change)

Goal: reduce atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations

Requires individual participating countries to commit to stabilizing greenhouse gas emissions to “prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with Earth’s climate system”

197 parties at the convention

annually at UN COP (conferences of the parties) to discuss 1- how to achieve goals and 2- to assess progress in dealing with climate change

two key decisions made at UN COPs

kyoto protocol 1997 - First act to operationalize the UNFCCC by establishing
legally binding obligations under international law for developed countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions between 2008-2012

paris agreement 2015 - All 196 countries (parties) agreed to limit global warming to less than 1.5 OC, relative to pre-industrial levels

• April 20, 2016: Agreement officially signed on Earth Day in New York City at
  the UN Headquarters

• 2017: Trump announced that U.S. does not support the agreement

• 2021: Biden announced that U.S. rejoined the agreement

• 2025: Trump announced US out of Paris Agreement

how close are we to 2015 paris agreement 1.5C goal

2024

• warmest year for global temps

• 1.6C above 1850-1900 pre-industrial temps

• first calendar year greater than 1.5C above pre-industrial temps

forests in the paris agreement

reducing emission from deforestation and forest degradation

UN COP meetings

• Badges are required to attend

• Pink for “Parties” (diplomats)

  • Yellow for “Observers” (including scientists) = Civil society

• Civil society has been part of UN conventions due to Eleanor Roosevelt

• COP works by consensus, not vote. If 100% parties don’t agree, then the item doesn’t ‘close’ (move forward)

Scientists participate via the “Research and Independent NGO’s (RINGOs)” group of “Observers”

how can students participate in UN COP

youth environment alliance in higher education (YEAH) network

• Multi-institutional network

• Students conduct real-world, collaborative research to address global environmental challenges

• Present findings at UN COP meetings through side events and press conferences facilitated by (RINGO)

history of SDGs

• 1972: First UN Conference on the Human Environment

• 1983: UN created World Commission on Environment and Development (later known as the Brundtland Commission)

  • Defined “Sustainable Development” as “Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” - IMPORTANT

• 1992: First UN Conference on Environment and Development (same
  as ‘Rio Earth Summit’ described before) - RIO SUMMIT

• First agenda for Environment and Development developed and adopted (known as “Agenda 21”)

• 2012 UN Conference on Sustainable Development (known as “Rio+20”)

  • Established 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

  • color schemes are used consistently