STATE OF THE CLIMATE REPORT 2023
- In its annual State of the Climate Report, the WMO has stated that the global average surface temperature in 2023 was 1.45 degrees Celsius higher than the average during the pre-industrial period of 1850-1900. This increase significantly surpasses the 1.29 degrees Celsius rise from pre-industrial levels recorded in 2016.
- Over the period from 2014 to 2023, the average global surface temperature was 1.2 degrees Celsius higher than the pre-industrial average, marking it as the warmest 10-year period on record.
- The report by WMO highlighted that concentrations of the three main greenhouse gases — carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide — reached new records in 2022, the latest year for which comprehensive global data were available.
- Carbon dioxide concentrations in 2022 reached 417.9 parts per million, representing 150 percent of pre-industrial levels. Methane concentrations stood at 1,923 parts per billion, equivalent to 264 percent of pre-industrial levels. Nitrous oxide concentrations in 2022 were measured at 335.8 parts per billion, accounting for 124 percent of pre-industrial levels, as per the report.
- Much of this information had been previously released in November of the previous year, utilizing data until October, in a provisional report published by WMO to coincide with the annual climate change conference. The data up to October was sufficiently robust, leading to expectations that none of the trends would change during the final two months of the year.
- With 70 percent of Earth's surface covered by water, rising greenhouse gases result in excess energy, which is stored in the form of heat and absorbed by oceans.
- Alongside this heat, oceans absorb carbon dioxide, contributing to ocean acidification, rising sea levels, and other impacts.
- The ocean heat content in 2023 surpassed the 2022 value, reaching a 65-year high record, according to WMO.
- Unusually warm conditions persisted in the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean, while the Pacific Ocean warmed due to El Niño conditions that began in June of the previous year.
- Similar to heatwaves and cold waves on land, the oceans experience marine heatwaves and marine cold waves.
- With 2023 being an El Niño year, characterized by higher than normal sea surface temperatures in the equatorial Pacific Ocean, marine heatwaves persisted in the North Atlantic Ocean.
- WMO reported that at least 32 percent of the total global ocean area experienced marine heatwaves daily last year, compared to 23 percent during the 2016 El Niño episode. Conversely, just under 4 percent of the oceanic area experienced marine cold waves, indicating the extent of ocean warming in 2023
- Ocean heat content (OHC) refers to the total amount of heat energy stored in the ocean at a given time, typically measured in joules per square meter (J/m²) or in units of energy per unit area. It represents the cumulative heat absorbed by the ocean from various sources, including solar radiation, atmospheric heat exchange, and heat transferred from the Earth's interior.
- Ocean heat content is an important indicator of climate change and global warming because the ocean acts as a massive heat sink, absorbing and storing excess heat from the atmosphere. Changes in OHC can influence sea surface temperatures, ocean circulation patterns, and marine ecosystems.
- Monitoring ocean heat content over time provides valuable information about the Earth's energy balance and the rate of heat uptake by the ocean, which in turn affects weather patterns, sea level rise, and the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. Rising ocean heat content is a key indicator of global warming and its impacts on the marine environment and coastal communities
The Kyoto Protocol is an international treaty aimed at combating global climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It was adopted on December 11, 1997, in Kyoto, Japan, and entered into force on February 16, 2005. The protocol is an extension of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which was established in 1992.
Key features of the Kyoto Protocol include:
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Greenhouse Gas Reduction Targets: The protocol sets legally binding emission reduction targets for developed countries, known as Annex I parties, for the period 2008-2012. These targets are aimed at reducing emissions of six greenhouse gases: carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6).
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Emissions Trading: The Kyoto Protocol introduces emissions trading mechanisms, allowing countries to buy and sell emissions credits to meet their reduction targets more cost-effectively. This includes the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), which allows developed countries to invest in emission reduction projects in developing countries and receive credits for the emissions reductions achieved.
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Flexible Mechanisms: The protocol includes other flexible mechanisms such as Joint Implementation (JI) and International Emissions Trading (IET), which provide additional avenues for countries to achieve their emission reduction targets.
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Compliance and Monitoring: The Kyoto Protocol establishes a compliance system to ensure that countries meet their obligations under the treaty. This includes regular reporting of emissions data and compliance reviews by an international body.
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Adaptation and Finance: The protocol recognizes the need for adaptation to the impacts of climate change, particularly in vulnerable developing countries. It also calls for financial and technological assistance from developed countries to support adaptation and mitigation efforts in developing countries
The Paris Agreement is an international treaty on climate change that was adopted on December 12, 2015, at the 21st Conference of the Parties (COP21) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) held in Paris, France. It entered into force on November 4, 2016, and as of my last update in January 2022, it has been ratified by 196 parties, including 195 UNFCCC member states and the European Union.
The purpose of the Paris Agreement is to strengthen the global response to climate change by keeping the increase in global average temperature well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Additionally, the agreement aims to enhance the ability of countries to adapt to the impacts of climate change and to make financial flows consistent with a pathway towards low greenhouse gas emissions and climate-resilient development.
Key features of the Paris Agreement include:
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Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs): Each participating country is required to submit its own nationally determined contribution, outlining its climate action plans and targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. These contributions are not legally binding, but countries are encouraged to regularly update and enhance their NDCs over time.
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Global Stocktake: The agreement establishes a process for conducting a global stocktake every five years to assess collective progress towards achieving the agreement's long-term goals. This includes assessing countries' emission reduction efforts, adaptation measures, and support provided to developing countries.
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Transparency and Accountability: The Paris Agreement includes provisions for transparency and accountability, requiring countries to regularly report on their emissions and progress towards their climate goals. There are also mechanisms for review and assessment to ensure that countries are meeting their commitments.
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Climate Finance: Developed countries are expected to provide financial support to developing countries to assist them in mitigating and adapting to climate change. The agreement sets a goal of mobilizing $100 billion per year in climate finance by 2020, with a commitment to further financial support beyond that.
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Technology Transfer and Capacity Building: The Paris Agreement emphasizes the importance of technology transfer and capacity building to support climate action in developing countries, particularly those with limited resources and expertise
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For Prelims: General issues on Environmental ecology, Bio-diversity and Climate Change – that do not require subject specialization
For Mains: General Studies III: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment
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Previous year Question
Consider the following pairs: (UPSC 2016)
Terms have sometimes been seen in the news Their origin
1. Annex-I Countries Cartagena Protocol
2. Certified Emissions Reductions Nagoya Protocol
3. Clean Development Mechanism Kyoto Protocol
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer C
2. With reference to the Agreement at the UNFCCC Meeting in Paris in 2015, which of the following statements is/are correct? (UPSC 2016)
1. The Agreement was signed by all the member countries of the UN and it will go into effect in 2017. 2. The Agreement aims to limit greenhouse gas emissions so that the rise in average global temperature by the end of this century does not exceed 2°C or even 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. 3. Developed countries acknowledged their historical responsibility for global warming and committed to donate $1000 billion a year from 2020 to help developing countries cope with climate change.
Select the correct answer using the code given below
A. 1 and 3 only
B. 2 only C. 2 and 3 only D. 1, 2 and 3 Answer: B
3. The term ‘Intended Nationally Determined Contributions’ is sometimes seen in the news in the context of ( UPSC 2016)
A. pledges made by the European countries to rehabilitate refugees from the war-affected Middle East B. plan of action outlined by the countries of the world to combat climate change C. capital contributed by the member countries in the establishment of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank D. plan of action outlined by the countries of the world regarding Sustainable Development Goals Answer: B |
