Why Is the Paris Agreement Significant?

by admin | Jul 17, 2016 | Knowledge, MYD2016

Excitement and joy during the final plenary session at COP21 in Paris! From Left to Right: Christiana Figueres, Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, French Foreign Affairs Minister Laurent Fabius, President-designate of COP21 and French President Francois Hollande. Image was taken from: REUTERS (Stephane Mahe)

21st century began, with catastrophic remark of a series of natural disasters and it does not seem to cease. With each of every occurrence of force majeure, it is time to rise and put words into action. The Paris Agreement, is somewhat the silent prayer of environment, is finally heard. It is the collective and concurrent endeavors of 175 countries, echoing with nature’s outcry.

Some say that the Paris Agreement is the historic milestone of 21st century. It is the responsibility of stakeholders like nations and corporations, and the Paris Agreement guides us all with implementations of climate action. Paris Agreement marks the aggregate voice of most countries in the world, with mutual commitment of carbon reduction. Subsequent to the Conference of Parties 21 (COP21) held in Paris and the signing of Paris Agreement in New York, wheels are set in motion with Bonn Climate Change Conference in Germany which aims to further discuss on execution of Paris Agreement.

Many, including the foreign minister of France, Laurent Fabius acknowledges that the ambitious and balanced plan of Paris Agreement is a historic turning point in the goal of reducing global warming; United States’ secretary of state, John Kerry comments that Paris Agreement is the strongest and most ambitious climate pact ever negotiated. Mutual tracking system serves as a “check and balance” in fulfilling the commitment of nation towards Paris Agreement and nature as a whole; approval of financial initiative by Global Environment Facility Council helps the developing nations to effectively monitor and report their progress in reducing national greenhouse gas emission.

Paris Agreement serves as an inspiration. Paris Agreement seems to be zealous, high-reaching and even an eager beaver. However, it is the instrument that draws the cooperation of most countries in the world to commit to common good of human being. It urges the developed countries to have marginal profit and environmental preservation and restoration aligned; it sparks the developing nations that they are not alone in environmental protection and improvement.

Mutual confidence, common goal and equal endeavors are linchpin to not make Paris Agreement the second Kyoto Protocol. The question now is, are we ready? This is something for all of us to ponder upon.

Written by: Ooi Wan Mei (Charlotte)
Edited by: Nicole Lim Pei Pey

What Is UNFCCC?

by admin | Jul 6, 2016 | Knowledge, MYD2016

UNFCCC. Image was taken from: http://unfccc.int/2860.php

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is one of the three multilateral environmental treaties, which was signed at the Earth Summit that was held in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil in 1992. This has earned it the name of “Rio Convention”. Although its implementation had only begun on the 21st of March 1994.

The main aim of the UNFCCC is to ensure “stabilisation greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that will prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system.”1 Such levels should be achieved whereby the given period of time determined should account and be sufficient for the natural recovery and adaptation of ecosystems in response to climate change, the threats available to the production of food and the sustainability of economic development.

Also, the UNFCCC functions as a framework for the global collaborative efforts of countries in their pursuit of combating climate change. Furthermore, developed countries have to bear the responsibility of leading the movement. The UNFCCC also took precedence in setting measures to ensure rates of economic sustainability are balanced out by climate change mitigation. Thus, it has sparked the beginning of formal consideration for climate change adaptation in the world.

Message from UNFCCC Executive Secretary, Christiana Figueres. Image was taken from: http://unfccc.int/secretariat/items/1629.php

During the time of the Convention’s implementation in 1994, 194 countries have agreed to sign the UNFCCC signalling their acknowledgement of climate change as an international issue that is in need of cooperative efforts to overcome. At present, the UNFCCC enjoys near full international membership with 197 Parties who have ratified the Convention, whom are known as Parties to the Convention. Furthermore, the Convention is improved upon via the complementation of Kyoto Protocol that was ratified by 192 parties in 2002.

The treaty is the parent body of Kyoto Protocol. However, unlike the Kyoto Protocol in 1997, it is neither legally binding, nor does it possess mechanisms for enforcement. Decidedly, the mandatory limits on greenhouse gas emissions for Parties to the Convention are also absent in the Convention.

The Malaysian Youth Delegation (MYD) is a youth climate movement representing the youths of Malaysia under YOUNGO, a constituent within the UNFCCC. As such, members of MYD will be equipped with knowledge of the UNFCCC and have the opportunity to attend the COP (Conference of Parties) annually, address the plenary, High Level Segment of a COP/CMP, make submissions (individual youth organizations also), attend workshops, meet with officials of the Convention such as Chairs of the subsidiary bodies and the COP Presidency.

Written by: Yong Khye Lynn
Edited by: Nicole Lim Pei Pey

References:
1. UNFCCC 1992, NY