Gap Analysis of Global Climate Agreements

Summary

This document, published in May 2023 by Sandia National Laboratories, provides a gap analysis of two critical global climate agreements: the Paris Agreement and the Environmental Modification Convention (ENMOD). It highlights that the Paris Agreement, signed by 195 countries, lacks strict limitations and independent verification of its five-year Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), with the Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF) set to introduce more complex reporting circa 2024. ENMOD, ratified by 78 countries (with 16 more signed), suffers from a lack of clear definitions for 'hostile' use and operational structures for confidence-building measures. The paper recommends refining language, developing reporting and review capabilities for developing nations, and establishing independent verification mechanisms, particularly given that five permanent UN Security Council members can veto ENMOD investigations.

Key Facts

Source Document

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