2.2 Fundamentals of Climate Change and Sustainable Development

Climate change: greenhouse-gas accumulation warms the planet; energy is the largest emitting sector. Sustainable development: meeting present needs without compromising future generations (the Brundtland formula) — its three pillars: economic, social, environmental.2.2.1 UNFCCC and the Conference of the Parties (COP)The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (1992) — the umbrella treaty: stabilization of greenhouse gases, common but differentiated responsibilities (CBDR). Its supreme body, the COP, meets annually (the Paris COP21 of 2015; the Glasgow, Sharm el-Sheikh, and Dubai COPs since; each COP a rule-implementation and finance negotiation). Nepal, a party, participates with the LDC (least-developed countries) group's positions.2.2.2 Kyoto ProtocolThe Kyoto Protocol (1997) — the first-generation implementation: binding targets for developed countries (Annex I), the flexibility mechanisms (clean development mechanism — CDM; joint implementation; emissions trading). Nepal accessed CDM projects (biogas, micro-hydro) — the Protocol's developing-country face. Its first commitment period ended; its logic partially carried into Paris.2.2.3 Paris AgreementThe Paris Agreement (2015): holding warming well below 2°C, pursuing 1.5°C; nationallydetermined contributions (NDCs) — every party's self-pledge, ratcheted upward on five-year cycles; adaptation and loss and damage recognized; transparency framework. Nepal ratified in 2016 — from the verified treaty history of earlier semesters' studies.