Lecture Notes: International Organizations & Environmental Protection

Introduction

• Environment syllabus is crucial for UPSC Civil Services.
• Focus on international organizations, conventions, treaties, and the institutional framework relevant to environmental protection.
• Objective: Understand the chronology of international laws and organizations that influenced environmental policies.

Key Organizations Covered

1. World Meteorological Organization (WMO)

   • Established for understanding weather patterns and climate awareness.
   • Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland.
   • India is a member.

2. BirdLife International

   • Focus on conservation of birds and biodiversity.
   • Collaborates with IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature).
   • Publishes reports on global bird populations.

3. International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

   • Established post-World War awareness regarding environmental protection.
   • Produces the Red List for threatened species.
   • Focuses on biodiversity conservation, with a significant role in ecosystems too.

4. World Wildlife Fund (WWF)

   • Founded in 1961, the largest NGO worldwide for nature conservation.
   • Publishes the Living Planet Report annually.
   • Operates an influential campaign called Earth Hour.

5. Ramsar Convention

   • Focus on wetlands, established in 1971.
   • Critical for wetland conservation.
   • Recent expansions concerning Ramsar sites by India.

6. Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)

   • Established in 1992 at the Earth Summit in Rio.
   • Three main objectives: conservation, sustainable use, and equitable sharing of benefits.
   • Includes protocols such as Nagoya (access to genetic resources) and Cartagena (protecting GMOs).

Historical Context & Development of Treaties

• Stockholm Conference (1972): First major global conference to make environment a priority.
• Rio Summit (1992): Introduction of the term sustainability and establishment of significant treaties, including the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
• Kyoto Protocol (1997): Attempted to set legally binding emissions targets; significant as a global treaty initiative.
• Copenhagen Accord (2009): Acknowledged the need for limit temperatures and established Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
• Paris Agreement (2015): Established the goal of maintaining global temperature rise below 2ºC; emphasizes the need for financing and collective efforts.

Current Affairs in Environmental Legislation

• Discussion of COP meetings, with COP 28 being the latest.
• Global stocktaking on climate actions and efforts.
• Focus on funding mechanisms for climate adaptation, mitigation, and loss & damage.

Conclusion

• The interconnectedness of organizations highlights the complexity of addressing environmental challenges through regulation and cooperation.
• Emphasizes the importance of historical knowledge, current agreements, and ongoing efforts in environmental conservation.

Important Definitions

• NDCs (Nationally Determined Contributions): Country-specific commitments to reducing emissions and addressing climate change.
• Climate Justice: Fair distribution of roles, responsibilities, and rights regarding climate change.

Major Reports to Note

1. IPCC: Reports by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, significant in providing scientific data and recommendations.
2. Living Planet Report: Highlights the state of global biodiversity and tracking of species declines.
3. Nature Conservancy Reports: Cover various biodiversity concerns and conservation strategies.

Study Tips

• Follow a chronological approach while studying international treaties.
• Understand the interconnection between various organizations and their impact on environmental policies.
• Review reports published by these organizations for current statistical data and trends regarding climate change.