International agreements & EVSs
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Flip to reveal answersWhat is the UNFCCC (1992) in one line?
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Question
What is the UNFCCC (1992) in one line?
Answer
The UNFCCC is a global framework treaty aiming to stabilise greenhouse gas concentrations and coordinate international climate action.
💡 Hint
Framework for cooperation.
Question
Order these agreements by date: UNFCCC, Kyoto Protocol, Paris Agreement.
Answer
UNFCCC (1992) → Kyoto Protocol (1997) → Paris Agreement (2015).
💡 Hint
1992, 1997, 2015.
Question
Define environmental value systems (EVSs).
Answer
EVSs are worldviews that shape how individuals and societies perceive environmental issues and preferred solutions.
💡 Hint
Worldviews → decisions.
Question
Give one technocentric approach to climate change.
Answer
Support technology and market solutions such as carbon capture and storage, nuclear power, geoengineering, and carbon trading.
💡 Hint
Tech + markets.
Question
State one key feature of the Kyoto Protocol (1997).
Answer
Kyoto set binding emission reduction targets for developed countries and included mechanisms such as carbon trading (e.g., Clean Development Mechanism).
💡 Hint
Binding targets for developed countries.
Question
What is one advantage of Paris being “bottom-up” (NDCs)?
Answer
It encourages wider participation because countries set their own targets, but ambition may be insufficient if targets are weak.
💡 Hint
Participation vs ambition.
Question
Give one ecocentric approach to climate change.
Answer
Emphasise lifestyle change and reduced consumption, renewable energy, local solutions, and living within planetary boundaries.
💡 Hint
System and lifestyle change.
Question
What is an NDC under the Paris Agreement?
Answer
A Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) is a country’s self-set plan/target for reducing emissions and adapting to climate change under the Paris Agreement.
💡 Hint
Country sets its own target.
Question
Give two common challenges for global climate cooperation.
Answer
Free riders, short-term politics, and equity disputes between nations (who pays/cuts first) are common challenges (any two).
💡 Hint
Free rider + equity.
Question
What is the “ratchet mechanism” in the Paris Agreement?
Answer
Countries are expected to strengthen their NDCs regularly (typically every 5 years) to increase ambition over time.
💡 Hint
Targets tighten over time.
Question
Which EVS is most likely to support strict consumption reduction to tackle climate change?
Answer
Ecocentric perspectives (soft/deep ecologist) are most likely to prioritise reduced consumption and systemic change.
💡 Hint
Ecocentric = limits.
Question
Which EVS is most likely to say “technology will solve climate change” and why?
Answer
Cornucopian/technocentric perspectives often argue human ingenuity and innovation can overcome limits, so they favour technological fixes.
💡 Hint
Tech optimism.
Question
In an EVS essay, what’s the safest way to show balance?
Answer
Describe how different EVSs prioritise different values (growth vs limits, tech vs behaviour), give examples of strategies each would support, then evaluate trade-offs.
💡 Hint
Name EVS + link to strategies.
Question
Give one reason international climate agreements are difficult to enforce.
Answer
Countries may free-ride because benefits are global, costs are local; enforcement is weak because agreements rely on national sovereignty and political will.
💡 Hint
Free-rider + sovereignty.
Question
For “evaluate the success of agreements” questions, what do examiners look for?
Answer
A balanced judgement using criteria such as participation, ambition, enforcement/compliance, measurable outcomes, and fairness/finance.
💡 Hint
Use evaluation criteria.
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Topic 6.3 hub
Climate change—mitigation and adaptation
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