Greenhouse Effect, Kyoto Protocol, and Paris Agreement

1. Global Warming and the Greenhouse Effect

The Greenhouse Effect is a natural phenomenon where certain gases trapping heat from the sun to keep Earth habitable. However, human activities have exponentially increased these gases, causing Global Warming.

• Major Greenhouse Gases (GHGs): Water vapor (highest contribution naturally), Carbon Dioxide (CO2 - highest anthropogenic contribution), Methane (CH4), Nitrous Oxide (N2O), and Fluorinated gases (CFCs, HFCs).
• Global Warming Potential (GWP): A measure of how much heat a GHG traps over 100 years compared to CO2 (GWP of 1). Methane has a GWP around 28, while SF6 is 23,500.

2. Ozone Depletion

The ozone layer is located in the Stratosphere and shields the Earth from harmful Ultraviolet (UV-B and UV-C) radiation.

• Causes: Depletion is primarily caused by Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and Halons used in refrigerants and aerosols. Chlorine atoms break down O3 molecules.
• Montreal Protocol (1987): A highly successful international treaty aimed at completely phasing out the production of Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS).

3. Major Environmental Treaties (UNFCCC)

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was adopted at the 1992 Rio Earth Summit.

• Kyoto Protocol (1997): Placed legally binding emission reduction targets ONLY on developed nations (Annex I countries) based on the principle of "Common but Differentiated Responsibilities" (CBDR).
• Paris Agreement (2015): A landmark pact where ALL nations (developed and developing) submitted voluntary emission reduction goals called Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). Its primary goal is limiting global warming to well below 2°C (preferably 1.5°C) compared to pre-industrial levels.

4. National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC)

Launched by India in 2008, it originally consisted of 8 core national missions:

1. National Solar Mission
2. National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency
3. National Mission on Sustainable Habitat
4. National Water Mission
5. National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem
6. National Mission for a Green India
7. National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture
8. National Mission on Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change.