“Climate Action Tracker” which monitors the emission reduction pledges of different countries is a:

1. Database created by coalition organizations of Research organizations
2. Wing of “International Panel of Climate Change”
3. Committee under “United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change”
4. Agency promoted and financed by the United Nations Environment Programme and World Bank

Explanation

Option (a) is correct

• The Climate Action Tracker (CAT) is an independent scientific analysis that monitors government efforts to address climate change, assessing them against the goals set by the Paris Agreement. Established in 2009, CAT is a collaboration between Climate Analytics and New Climate Institute, providing impartial analyses to policymakers. CAT evaluates climate change mitigation targets, policies, and actions, using climate model to project likely temperature increases in the 21st century. Additionally, it extends its analysis to the global level by aggregating country actions, offering insights into the pathways required to meet temperature goals. Covering around 39 countries and the EU, CAT encompasses around 85% of global emissions. It includes major emitters and a representative sample of smaller emitters, collectively representing approximately 85% of global emissions and 70% of the global population.

Option (b) is incorrect

• The IPCC is the UN body for assessing the science related to climate change. It was established by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in 1988. It has 195 member states. The IPCC produces reports that support the UNFCCC.
• IPCC reports cover all relevant information to understand the risk of human-induced climate change, its potential impacts and options for adaptation and mitigation.
• The IPCC does not carry out its own original research. Thousands of scientists and other experts contribute on a voluntary basis. In accordance with its mandate, the IPCC prepares at regular intervals comprehensive Assessment Reports of scientific, technical and socio-economic information relevant for the understanding of human induced climate change, potential impacts of climate change and options for mitigation and adaptation.

Option (c) is incorrect

• United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change:
  • International environmental treaty that came into existence under the aegis of UN.
  • UNFCCC is negotiated at the Earth Summit 1992.
  • Signed in 1992, New York City.
  • At present, UNFCCC has 198 parties.
  • Role: UNFCCC provides a framework for negotiating specific international treaties (called “protocols”) that aim to set binding limits on greenhouse gases.
  • Objective of UNFCCC: Stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous consequences.
  • Legal Effect: Treaty is considered legally non-binding.
  • The treaty itself sets no binding limits on greenhouse gas emissions for individual countries.
  • The secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is located on the UN Campus in Bonn, Germany.

Option (d) is incorrect

• United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP):
  • UNEP is an agency of the United Nations.
  • It coordinates the UN’s environmental activities.
  • It assists developing countries in implementing environmentally sound policies and practices.
  • It was founded as a result of the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment 1972.
  • It has overall responsibility for environmental problems among United Nations agencies.
  • Addressing climate change or combating desertification, are overseen by other UN organizations, like the UNFCCC and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification.
  • UNEP’s activities cover a wide range of issues regarding the atmosphere, marine and terrestrial ecosystems, environmental governance and green economy.
  • UN Environment is also one of several Implementing Agencies for the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol.
  • It is also a member of the United Nations Development Group.
  • UNEP has registered several successes, such as the 1987 Montreal Protocol, and the 2012 Minamata Convention, a treaty to limit toxic mercury.

Answer: (a) Database created by coalition organizations of Research organizations; Difficulty Level: Hard