History of climate change policy and politics

James Hansen

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UNFCCC parties

Adoption of the Paris Agreement (26122959426)

History of Climate Change Policy and Politics

The history of climate change policy and politics encompasses the development and evolution of political and policy responses to the scientific understanding of climate change. This history is marked by international agreements, national strategies, and local actions aimed at mitigating and adapting to the effects of a changing climate. The issue of climate change has moved from a purely scientific concern to a major political and societal challenge, reflecting the complex interplay between environmental, economic, and social factors.

Early Awareness and Initial Responses

The scientific discovery of the greenhouse effect and its potential to cause global warming dates back to the 19th century, with significant contributions from scientists such as John Tyndall and Svante Arrhenius. However, it was not until the latter half of the 20th century that climate change began to emerge as a policy issue. The 1970s saw the first major international conferences that acknowledged environmental issues, including climate change, as global concerns, leading to the establishment of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

Formation of the IPCC and the UNFCCC

A pivotal moment in the history of climate change policy was the formation of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in 1988. The IPCC was established by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the UNEP to assess the scientific knowledge on global warming. The IPCC's assessments, which are released every few years, have played a crucial role in informing global policy on climate change.

The recognition of the need for a global treaty to address climate change led to the creation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 1992. The UNFCCC set the framework for international negotiations on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, culminating in the annual Conference of the Parties (COP) meetings.

Kyoto Protocol to Paris Agreement

The Kyoto Protocol, adopted in 1997, was the first agreement under the UNFCCC framework that set legally binding emission reduction targets for developed countries. Despite its groundbreaking nature, the Kyoto Protocol faced significant challenges, including the refusal of the United States to ratify the agreement and the lack of commitments from developing countries.

In response to these challenges, the Paris Agreement was adopted in 2015 as a more inclusive and flexible framework. The Paris Agreement aims to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, with efforts to limit the increase to 1.5 degrees. Unlike the Kyoto Protocol, the Paris Agreement requires all countries, developed and developing, to submit nationally determined contributions (NDCs) outlining their plans to reduce emissions.

National and Local Actions

Beyond international agreements, climate change policy has also evolved at the national and local levels. Many countries have implemented their own climate strategies, including carbon pricing mechanisms, renewable energy targets, and energy efficiency standards. Cities and regions have also taken leadership roles, often setting more ambitious climate goals than their national governments.

Challenges and Future Directions

Despite the progress made in climate change policy and politics, significant challenges remain. These include the need for more ambitious NDCs to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement, the integration of climate policy with other areas of public policy, and addressing the social and economic impacts of climate transition. The history of climate change policy and politics is still being written, with the current decade critical for determining the future trajectory of global climate action.