Discuss in detail the measures taken by the government to ensure environmental sustainability - NSC Economics - Question 6 - 2022 - Paper 2

Success of International Agreements

International agreements play a significant role in addressing climate change on a global scale.

1. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
   Established to create a framework for intergovernmental efforts to tackle the issue, although its obligatory nature was questionable, it initiated critical discussions.

2. Kyoto Protocol
   This agreement established binding targets for developed countries to reduce emissions. While it allowed for flexibility through market mechanisms, not all countries participated, which hindered overall effectiveness.

3. Paris Agreement
   A more flexible approach compared to Kyoto, this agreement aimed to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius. Although it achieved broad participation, challenges remain in enforcing commitments, particularly from major polluters.

4. Challenges Faced

   • Lack of Binding Enforcement: Many agreements lack the strict enforcement mechanisms needed to ensure compliance.
   • Financial Disparities: Developing countries often struggle due to limited resources, making international support essential but difficult to mobilize.
   • Political Will: Fluctuations in political stability can affect continued commitment to these agreements.

Conclusion

While international agreements have catalyzed awareness and some progress, significant obstacles remain in achieving the collective goals of reducing climate change impacts.