UPSC

More than 200 climate campaign groups have issued a joint call for reforms to the way United Nations (UN) climate talks are conducted, saying that the negotiations have “reached breaking point”. Consensus not voting: Unlike with many other UN conventions, decisions at the annual   conference of the parties (COPs) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) require consensus. While that is not clearly defined, it is interpreted to mean at least the vast majority of governments. End fossil fuel influence: The statement also calls for measures to “end undue influence” on COP delegates from fossil fuel companies and other big emitters of planet-warming gases. Research from the Kick Big Polluters Out campaign estimated that 1,800 fossil fuel lobbyists attended COP29 last year, mainly as part of trade associations but also   as members of government delegations. COP host integrity: The joint call points out that “climate talks have been hosted i...