The Paris Agreement@10: Has it made a difference? – The Indian Express

Assessment of the Paris Agreement’s Impact on Sustainable Development Goals

Framework for Global Action on SDG 13

The 2015 Paris Agreement established a comprehensive framework for global climate action, directly addressing Sustainable Development Goal 13 (Climate Action). Its innovative structure was designed to foster multilateral cooperation and advance several interconnected SDGs.

• Universal Participation: Through Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), the Agreement engaged all nations in climate efforts, embodying the principles of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). This marked a departure from previous regimes by ensuring collective responsibility.
• The Global Stocktake: A built-in mechanism for periodic review of progress on mitigation and adaptation supports the creation of effective and accountable institutions, in line with SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions).
• Finance and Technology Transfer: The Agreement centralises support for developing nations, acknowledging that climate action must proceed in tandem with efforts towards SDG 1 (No Poverty). This is grounded in the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, a key aspect of global partnership under SDG 17.
• Cooperative Mechanisms: Article 6 facilitates market and non-market approaches, providing flexible pathways for countries to meet climate targets and foster innovation relevant to SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure).

Progress and Achievements in Advancing the SDGs

A decade since its inception, the Paris Agreement has yielded tangible progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals, demonstrating its resilience and impact.

1. Mitigating Climate Change (SDG 13): The Agreement has successfully bent the global emissions curve. Projections for warming by 2100 have been reduced from a catastrophic 4–5°C to a range of 2.1–2.8°C, a significant step in fulfilling the core objective of SDG 13.
2. Fostering Sustainable Investment (SDG 7 & SDG 9): By establishing long-term net-zero targets, the Agreement has created a stable policy horizon. This has been crucial for mobilising investment in green transitions, directly supporting SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure).
3. Strengthening Global Partnerships (SDG 17): The framework has spurred concrete collaborative outcomes, including the establishment of a Loss and Damage Fund and negotiations for a New Collective Quantified Goal for climate finance. It has also mobilised cities, businesses, and civil society, broadening the partnership base for climate action.

Case Study: India’s Contribution to Global Climate Action and SDGs

India has emerged as a proactive leader in driving global climate initiatives that align with multiple SDGs.

• Promoting Clean Energy and Partnerships (SDG 7 & SDG 17): India co-founded the International Solar Alliance and launched the Global Biofuels Alliance, building coalitions of over 120 countries to accelerate the transition to clean energy.
• Building Resilient Infrastructure (SDG 9 & SDG 11): The launch of the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure addresses the need for resilient infrastructure in the face of climate change, contributing to SDG 9 and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).
• Exceeding Climate Targets (SDG 13): India is on track to surpass its 2030 NDC target, projecting a 48–57 per cent reduction in emissions intensity against a goal of 45 per cent, demonstrating a strong commitment to SDG 13.

Challenges and Gaps in Implementation

Despite its structural strengths, the Agreement’s effectiveness is undermined by significant implementation gaps, which threaten progress across the SDG agenda.

• Insufficient Ambition from Developed Nations: A failure by advanced economies to pursue deep decarbonisation and accelerate their net-zero timelines to around 2040 jeopardises the 1.5°C target, directly impacting SDG 13 and the principle of equity central to SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).
• Climate Finance Deficit: The persistent failure of developed countries to meet their financial pledges, including the $100 billion annual goal, has eroded trust and severely constrained the ability of developing nations to pursue climate action alongside poverty eradication (SDG 1) and clean energy transitions (SDG 7).
• Barriers to Technology Transfer: The transfer of clean technology remains more promise than practice, impeding the ability of emerging economies to leapfrog to sustainable development pathways and achieve goals related to SDG 9.

Conclusion and Path Forward

The Paris Agreement provides a robust framework for achieving SDG 13, but its potential is contingent on renewed political will and a shift from incrementalism to transformation. To ensure the Agreement becomes a true turning point for sustainable development, the following actions are critical.

1. Accelerated Action by Developed Countries: Advanced economies must lead by example with faster fossil fuel phase-outs and more ambitious net-zero targets to uphold their responsibilities under SDG 13.
2. Fulfillment of Support Commitments: A dramatic scaling-up of climate finance and technology transfer is essential to empower developing countries and ensure a just transition, reinforcing SDG 17.
3. Seizing Leapfrog Opportunities: With adequate international support, emerging economies must leverage the opportunity to build clean, resilient, and sustainable systems, advancing SDG 7 and SDG 9.
4. Systemic Change: Global leaders must recognise climate change as an existential threat that requires systemic changes across all sectors to safeguard the entire 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article primarily addresses issues related to the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

• SDG 13: Climate Action – This is the central theme of the article, which revolves around the Paris Agreement, its mechanisms for curbing greenhouse gas emissions (NDCs), adapting to climate risks, and assessing progress (global stocktake).
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – The article emphasizes the multilateral nature of the Paris Agreement, highlighting universal participation, international cooperation, finance, technology transfer, and capacity-building as core components. It also mentions specific coalitions like the International Solar Alliance.
• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy – The text discusses the need for “low-carbon transitions,” “green transitions,” and “cleaner pathways.” It explicitly mentions initiatives like the International Solar Alliance and the Global Biofuels Alliance, which directly relate to promoting clean energy.
• SDG 1: No Poverty – The article connects climate action with poverty reduction by stating that developing countries need support to “simultaneously lift millions out of poverty and invest in expensive low-carbon transitions.”
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure – The mention of the “Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure” directly connects to building resilient infrastructure, a key aspect of this goal.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s content, the following specific targets can be identified:

1. Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning.
   • The article extensively discusses Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and long-term low-emissions development strategies (LT-LEDS) as the primary tools through which countries commit to climate plans and integrate them into their national policies.
2. Target 13.a: Implement the commitment undertaken by developed-country parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to a goal of mobilizing jointly $100 billion annually by 2020 from all sources to address the needs of developing countries.
   • The article explicitly mentions the “delay in delivery of $100 billion a year” by developed countries as a major failure that has “eroded trust.” It also notes the need for future finance goals, citing estimates of “$1.3 trillion annually.”
3. Target 17.7: Promote the development, transfer, dissemination and diffusion of environmentally sound technologies to developing countries on favourable terms.
   • The article identifies “clean technology transfer” as a central pillar of the Paris Agreement but notes that it is “still more promise than practice,” indicating a gap in achieving this target.
4. Target 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology and financial resources.
   • The Paris Agreement itself is described as a blueprint for multilateral cooperation. The article also cites specific partnerships led by India, such as the “International Solar Alliance,” “Global Biofuels Alliance,” and the “Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure,” as examples of such collaborations.
5. Target 7.a: By 2030, enhance international cooperation to facilitate access to clean energy research and technology… and promote investment in energy infrastructure and clean energy technology.
   • The article discusses the need to “mobilise trillions in investment” for green transitions and highlights the International Solar Alliance and Global Biofuels Alliance as concrete examples of international cooperation to advance clean energy.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article mentions or implies several indicators that can be used to measure progress:

• Projected global temperature rise: The article uses this as a key indicator of the Paris Agreement’s success, noting that pledges have cut the projected rise from a “catastrophic 4–5°C” to “2.1–2.8-degree Celsius.” This measures overall progress on climate mitigation.
• National emissions intensity reduction: India’s progress is measured by its target of “cutting emissions intensity by 45 per cent,” with analysis projecting a “48–57 per cent reduction by 2030.” This is a specific, quantifiable indicator for national climate action (Target 13.2).
• Climate finance mobilization amounts: The article explicitly uses the “$100 billion a year” pledge as an indicator of financial commitment from developed countries, noting that the “delay in delivery” signifies a failure to meet this target (Target 13.a). The future need for “$1.3 trillion annually” serves as a forward-looking indicator.
• Number of countries participating in climate initiatives: The article quantifies the success of India-led initiatives by stating they have mobilized, “on average, 47 countries in each” and now count “more than 120 member countries and institutions.” This serves as an indicator for international cooperation (Target 17.16).
• Adoption of long-term strategies: The fact that “Most countries have now adopted long-term low-emissions development strategies (LT-LEDS) and committed to net-zero targets” is presented as an indicator of long-term policy certainty and planning (Target 13.2).

4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table

Source: indianexpress.com