Paris Agreement in Depth

2.1 Key Provisions

Temperature Target (Article 2)

The agreement commits to hold the global average temperature rise to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, while pursuing efforts to limit it to 1.5°C — a threshold that requires global net-zero CO₂ emissions by 2050.

NDCs — The Heart of Paris Agreement

• Each party submits its own Nationally Determined Contribution
• NDC must include a mitigation component; an adaptation component is recommended
• Must be submitted/updated every 5 years and be progressively more ambitious ("highest possible ambition")
• NDCs are public and tracked, but not judicially enforceable

Global Stocktake (Article 14)

• Comprehensive assessment of collective progress every 5 years
• First GST concluded at COP28 Dubai (2023): current NDCs lead to ~2.7°C by 2100 — far above targets
• Outcome of each GST feeds into the next NDC cycle to ratchet up ambition

Finance (Article 9)

Developed countries "shall" provide financial resources to developing nations. The original $100 billion per year pledge (Copenhagen 2009, reconfirmed Paris) was first exceeded in 2022 (~$116 billion). The NCQG agreed at COP29 Baku (2024) raises this to $300 billion/year from developed to developing nations by 2035, and calls for $1.3 trillion from all sources.

Loss and Damage (Article 8)

• Recognises that some climate impacts exceed adaptation capacity — "beyond limits" losses
• Affects small island states facing sea level rise and drought-stricken nations
• Santiago Network (COP25): Technical assistance for L&D
• L&D Fund created at COP27 (2022); operationalised at COP28 (2023) with World Bank as interim host; initial pledges: $475 million

Technology Transfer and Capacity Building

• Technology Mechanism under UNFCCC: CTCN (Climate Technology Centre and Network)
• Green Climate Fund (GCF) — main multilateral fund; capitalised at $10+ billion

2.2 India's Position in Paris Agreement Negotiations

India's Negotiating Stance

India has been a strong defender of the CBDR-RC principle, emphasising historical responsibility of developed nations. India opposed early phase-out of coal given that it is the world's 2nd largest coal consumer with 200+ million people still in energy poverty. It champions the development rights of developing nations — the right to "carbon space."

India led formation of the LMDCs (Like-Minded Developing Countries) bloc, including China, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela, to advance the equity agenda in negotiations.

India's Commitments Under Paris Agreement (Updated NDC, 2022)

1. 50% cumulative electric power from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030
2. 45% reduction in emissions intensity of GDP by 2030 (from 2005 level)
3. Net Zero by 2070 (announced COP26 2021 — Panchamrit)
4. Create additional carbon sink of 2.5–3 billion tonne CO₂ equivalent through forest/tree cover by 2030
5. Achieve about 500 GW installed electricity capacity from non-fossil fuel by 2030

India's Argument on Equity

• India's per capita emissions (2.3 tonne CO₂/year) are far below the global average (4.4 tonne) and US (14.7 tonne)
• India did not cause the climate problem — historical cumulative emissions: US (25%), EU (22%), China (13%), India (3%)
• India needs carbon space for development — 300+ million without electricity access (declining rapidly)

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