Why in news
- The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) highlighted strategy frameworks in its report on limiting climate overshoot beyond the 1.5°C Paris Agreement target.
What is Climate Overshoot?
- A scenario where global mean temperatures temporarily exceed the 1.5°C warming threshold above pre-industrial levels before returning below it via carbon dioxide removal.
Key Findings and Risk Assessment
- Temporary temperature overshoot poses irreversible risks including glacier melt, ecological tipping points, and extreme weather surge.
- Reliance on unproven carbon dioxide removal (CDR) technologies to reverse warming post-overshoot is financially and ecologically unviable compared to direct rapid decarbonisation.
Why It Matters for India
- Demands balancing national economic development aspirations with accelerated adaptation measures to build resilience against irreversible climate impacts.
Key terms
Temperature Overshoot
The period during which global warming exceeds a specified target limit before cooling down through atmospheric carbon removal.
Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR)
Anthropogenic activities removing CO2 from the atmosphere and durably storing it in geological, terrestrial, or ocean reservoirs.
Prelims facts
- UNEP publishes flagship climate assessments including the Emissions Gap Report and Overshoot risk reports.
Mains discussion
- Policy risks of relying on carbon dioxide removal over immediate emissions reduction in achieving Net Zero goals.
Source: The Hindu
Same topic · past papers
UPSC has asked this before
These previous-year questions sit on the same topic. Open one to practise the earlier ask.
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2021 · Q29 · General Studies · 2 marks
The 'Common Carbon Metric', supported by UNEP, has been developed for -
2017 · Q6 · General Studies · 2 marks
Consider the following statements in respect of Trade Related Analysis of Fauna and Flora in Commerce (TRAFFIC): 1. TRAFFIC is a bureau under United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). 2. The mission of TRAFFIC is to ensure that trade in wild plants and animals is not a threat to the conservation of nature. Which of the above statements is/are correct? -
2016 · Q52 · General Studies · 2 marks
With reference to an initiative called 'The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB)', which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. It is an initiative hosted by UNEP, IMF and World Economic Forum. 2. It is a global initiative that focuses on drawing attention to the economic benefits of biodiversity. 3. It presents an approach that can help decision-makers recognize, demonstrate and capture the value of ecosystems and biodiversity. Select the correct answer using the code given below -
2015 · Q49 · General Studies · 2 marks
Which of the following statements regarding 'Green Climate Fund' is/are correct? 1. It is intended to assist the developing countries in adaptation and mitigation practices to counter climate change. 2. It is founded under the aegis of UNEP, OECD, Asian Development Bank and World Bank. Select the correct answer using the codes given below