Source: The post “‘Hop-on, hop-off’ — the state of climate governance” has been created, based on “‘Hop-on, hop-off’ — the state of climate governance” published in “The Hindu ” on 07th February 2026.
UPSC Syllabus: GS Paper-3- Environment
Context: Global climate governance under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has been the primary mechanism for addressing climate change for more than three decades. However, despite repeated Conferences of Parties and ambitious declarations, meaningful climate action remains inadequate and slow.
Present State of Global Climate Governance
- Process-Oriented Negotiations: Climate negotiations under CMP and CMA focus more on procedures, platforms, and frameworks than on concrete outcomes. This creates an illusion of progress without corresponding action.
- Political Dominance over Climate Urgency: National interests often override global environmental concerns in negotiations. The consensus-based decision-making system allows countries to block ambitious commitments.
- Economic Short-Termism: Markets and corporations prioritise short-term profits over long-term ecological sustainability. Economic incentives do not adequately account for future generations.
- Marginalisation of Common Citizens: Ordinary people focus on immediate livelihood concerns and remain disengaged from climate politics. This reduces public pressure on governments for strong climate action.
- Weak Implementation of Scientific Evidence: Although scientific evidence on climate change is well established, political actors use uncertainty to justify inaction. Scientific warnings are often diluted in policy decisions.
Limitations of Recent Climate Conferences
- Voluntary Commitments: Recent COPs, including COP30, have relied mainly on voluntary pledges without binding obligations. This weakens accountability and enforcement.
- Failure to Meet Temperature Targets: The goal of limiting warming to 1.5°C has become unrealistic due to rising emissions. Global emissions reached record levels in 2024.
- Inadequate Climate Finance: Developing countries require trillions of dollars annually for mitigation and adaptation. However, current financial flows remain far below actual needs.
- Weak Adaptation Framework: Adaptation finance pledges lack clear baselines and funding sources. Monitoring indicators are disconnected from real financial support.
- Limited Progress on Loss and Damage: Although a loss and damage fund has been created, its capitalisation remains insufficient. A large gap exists between disaster impacts and available support.
Way Forward for Effective Climate Governance
- Strengthening Legal Obligations: Climate agreements must move from voluntary pledges to legally binding commitments. Clear timelines and enforcement mechanisms should be introduced.
- Reforming Decision-Making Processes: Consensus-based veto mechanisms should be reviewed to prevent blockage of ambitious action. Qualified majority voting may be explored.
- Scaling Up Climate Finance: Developed countries must fulfil their financial responsibilities under common but differentiated responsibilities. Predictable and time-bound funding mechanisms should be created.
- Integrating Climate with Development: Climate action should be aligned with poverty reduction and employment generation. This will increase reliance and political acceptance.
- Enhancing Public Participation: Governments should increase climate awareness and citizen engagement. Informed public pressure can strengthen political commitment.
Conclusion: Global climate governance today suffers from drift, inadequacy, and lack of leadership, with more emphasis on negotiation than action. While the UNFCCC remains the only legitimate global platform for climate cooperation, its effectiveness depends on political courage, financial responsibility, and institutional reforms. Since humanity cannot opt out of the planet, urgent and collective action is the only viable path forward.
Question: Critically examine the present state of global climate governance under the UNFCCC framework. Discuss the reasons for its limited effectiveness and suggest measures for improving climate action.
Source: The Hindu
