International climate agreements
Big idea: Climate change is a global problem requiring international cooperation. Key agreements include the UNFCCC, Kyoto Protocol, and Paris Agreement.
Key agreements timeline
- 1992 — UNFCCC: United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Established the goal of stabilising GHG concentrations. Nearly universal membership.
- 1997 — Kyoto Protocol: Set binding emission reduction targets for developed countries. Clean Development Mechanism allowed carbon trading. US never ratified.
- 2015 — Paris Agreement: Goal to limit warming to 1.5–2°C above pre-industrial. Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) from all countries. Regular review cycles.
The Paris Agreement in detail
- Goal: Limit warming to well below 2°C, preferably 1.5°C
- NDCs: Each country sets its own targets (nationally determined contributions)
- Ratchet mechanism: Targets must be strengthened every 5 years
- Climate finance: Developed countries help fund action in developing countries
- Transparency: Countries report progress and undergo review
The Paris Agreement is bottom-up (countries set own targets) unlike Kyoto which was top-down (targets imposed on countries). This got more countries to participate but targets may be insufficient.
Exam tip: Be ready to evaluate these agreements — what worked, what didnt, and why international cooperation on climate is so challenging.
Environmental value systems and climate
Big idea: Different environmental value systems (EVSs) lead to different approaches to climate change — from technocentric optimism to ecocentric lifestyle change.
EVS approaches to climate change
Technocentric approaches
- Technology will solve the problem
- Focus on CCS, nuclear, geoengineering
- Economic growth can continue
- Market solutions (carbon trading)
- Human ingenuity will adapt
Ecocentric approaches
- Need fundamental lifestyle change
- Focus on reduced consumption
- Question economic growth model
- Local, community solutions
- Live within planetary boundaries
How EVSs influence responses
- Cornucopian: Climate change is manageable; technology will fix it; may even be beneficial
- Environmental manager: Accept science; support moderate regulation and market solutions
- Soft ecologist: Need systemic change; promote renewable energy, sustainable lifestyles
- Deep ecologist: Radical reduction in consumption; prioritise nature over economic growth
Exam tip: EVS questions are common in essays. Show you understand that different worldviews lead to different preferred solutions, and evaluate both perspectives.
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IB-style question — purpose of a global climate treaty [2]
Many countries have signed an international agreement that sets a shared target to limit global temperature rise.
Outline two reasons why international agreements are needed to tackle climate change. [2]
How to answer it, step by step
- The problem crosses borders
• Greenhouse gases mix in one shared atmosphere, so one country's emissions affect everyone
• No single country can solve it alone - Agreements share the effort
• They set common targets so countries cut emissions together
• This stops some nations 'free-riding' while others act
Final answer
Stress that climate change is a GLOBAL commons problem — shared atmosphere, shared responsibility — so cooperation is needed, not solo action.
IB-style question — do EVSs shape climate action? [7]
An ecocentric and a technocentric observer disagree about how the world should respond to climate change.
Discuss how environmental value systems (EVSs) influence whether countries favour mitigation, adaptation or international agreements. [7]
How to answer it, step by step
- Show how each EVS leans
• Ecocentric: prefers strong mitigation — cut emissions, change lifestyles, protect nature
• Technocentric: trusts technology and adaptation — sea walls, carbon capture, geo-engineering; anthropocentric backs binding treaties and economic tools - Weigh it up and conclude
• Explain that international agreements must blend EVSs, which slows talks (e.g. development vs emission cuts)
• e.g. 'A mix of EVSs explains why global deals are hard to agree but, once shared, drive the strongest action.'
Final answer
For a [7] 'discuss' you must name 2–3 EVSs, link each to a preferred response (mitigation/adaptation/agreement), AND finish with a reasoned conclusion — not just definitions.