Context:
• Ten years since the Paris Agreement (2015), the global climate landscape has undergone significant shifts in renewable energy, climate finance, technology, and multilateral cooperation.
• Despite rising emissions, the Agreement has nudged the world away from catastrophic warming scenarios and catalysed climate action across nations.
Key Highlights
- Global Climate Trends After a Decade
- Emissions and temperatures continue rising, affecting climate-sensitive regions like Uttarakhand, Punjab, and Jammu & Kashmir.
• Projected warming reduced from 4°C–5°C to 2°C–3°C by 2100 due to global commitments.
- Rise of Renewable Energy & Green Technologies
- Wind, solar, and hydropower have become globally competitive, creating jobs and economic opportunities.
• EVs now account for ~20% of global new car sales, lowering reliance on fossil fuels.
- International Solar Alliance (ISA) – India’s Leadership
- ISA, launched by India and France, now has 120+ member countries.
• Serves as a model for multilateral climate cooperation, especially for the Global South.
- India’s Climate Commitments
- Targeting Net-Zero by 2070.
• Aims for 50% of installed electricity capacity from non-fossil sources.
Significance
- Principles of the Paris Agreement
- Built on nationally determined contributions (NDCs) and common but differentiated responsibilities.
• Encourages solidarity by allowing differentiated commitments based on capacity and circumstances.
- ISA as a Multilateral Success
- Provides training, capacity building, and financial mechanisms for developing nations.
• Strengthens global renewable energy access and affordability.
- Climate Finance – The France Example
- France dedicates one-third of its climate finance budget to adaptation.
• Actively supports the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and Loss & Damage Fund.
- Key Priorities for COP30
- Raise global ambition for emission reduction.
• Promote a just, inclusive, and equitable transition to green energy.
• Strengthen protection of natural carbon sinks — forests, mangroves, oceans.
- Strengthening Non-State Climate Action
- Industries increasingly invest in sustainable production and climate resilience.
• Local authorities embed sustainability into building norms, urban planning, and ecosystem protection.
• Science must remain central — through defence of IPCC’s role and data-based policymaking.
Mains-Oriented Analysis
GS-3: Environment & GS-2: International Relations
- Successes of the Paris Agreement (10 years)
• Shifted world away from catastrophic warming scenarios.
• Global surge in renewable energy deployment.
• Improved international cooperation through frameworks like ISA and GCF. - Challenges that Persist
• Emissions still increasing → climate impacts intensify.
• Unequal finance flows, especially for adaptation in developing countries.
• Technological and policy gaps in heavy industries, agriculture, transport. - India’s Leadership in Global Climate Governance
• Co-founder of ISA → strengthens South-South cooperation.
• Advocates climate justice, lifestyle changes (LiFE), and equity in climate finance. - The Road Ahead for COP30
• Need to enhance NDC ambition.
• Strengthen carbon sinks and nature-based solutions.
• Expand climate finance and accelerate green transition technologies.
Possible Mains Question
“Evaluate the progress of the Paris Agreement after 10 years. How has India contributed to global climate transition, and what should be the priorities for COP30?” (GS-3)