Understanding the mechanism to implement theParis Agreement to the UNFCCC
United Nations University (UNU-IAS)
Autumn 2023
Lecturers:
Dr Akio Takemoto, Dr Himangana Gupta and Dr Atsushi Sato
Contact Information:
atakemoto@unu.edu, gupta@unu.edu, atushi.sato@unu.edu

1. Course Description
The climate negotiations process started in 1992 when countries signed the international treaty –United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) during the Rio EarthSummit. This Convention was the result of the revelation that climate change was unequivocal andanthropogenic. The UNFCCC had put in place several principles through its 26 articles, laying thefoundation for mitigation action, adaptation, finance, technology, and monitoring and reporting.
The first protocol under the UNFCCC, the Kyoto Protocol, agreed upon in 1997, furthered theobjective of the Convention, with set timelines and targets. However, this protocol was notconsidered fully effective in abating global greenhouse gas emissions to the level needed.
Therefore, the Paris Agreement (PA) was adopted in 2015 during the 21st Conference of the Parties
to the UNFCCC. It commits all countries to climate action based on their capability and intent.
The Agreement is being celebrated as a milestone in the history of climate negotiations as it ishoped that it will be key to implementing climate-positive solutions and also enhancing climate
governance from local to national levels.
Even with the past efforts to abate climate change, human activities caused approximately 1.1°Cof global warming above pre-industrial levels, which is likely to reach 1.5°C by 2040 if it continues
to increase at the current rate as per the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panelon Climate Change in 2021. Therefore, PA holds much more responsibility to tackle the global
crisis in a shorter span of time. The impact of PA is expected to be more far-reaching, including
on all domains of development, namely the economic, social and environmental, as well as on allcountries. The world has already pledged to make the best of its efforts to do away with carbon
intensive technology and be less dependent on non-renewable energy resources.
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With increased complexities in the climate change regime, including new market mechanisms,
transparency arrangements, reporting requirements, and global stocktake assessments, it has
become much more important to understand the modalities under the Paris Agreement (PA) for its
effective implementation at the national level and achievement of global temperature andadaptation goals set under PA. Following the Common but Differentiated Responsibilities
principle from the UNFCCC, PA provides some flexibility associated with finance, technology,and transparency to developing countries. This makes finance, capacity building, and technology
transfer also relevant topics under the agreement. Therefore, beginning with an overview of theUNFCCC, and its Kyoto Protocol, this course will discuss each article of the Paris Agreement andits implementation and governance mechanism in detail.

2. Requirements and Grading Policy
Class participation and discussion (10%)
Assignment 1: Class presentation 1 (20%)•••

Analysis of national GHG emissions and removals, including profile and trend, and key
mitigation actions for a selected country.
For the above, an analysis of NDC and GHG from national documents should be carriedout.
Time: 10 minutes

Assignment 2: Class Presentation 2 - (30%)• In the context of Assignment 1, identify potential ways to improve NDC and GHG
reporting.
• Identify the mitigation and adaptation actions needed to meet the NDCs.
• Identify key national circumstances, including vulnerability, adaptation, and loss anddamage, etc that may affect their ability to meet the national commitment under PA.
• Time: 20 minutes
Assignment 3: Research paper (40%)• Write a research paper based on Assignment 1 & 2 covering key analysis of GHG andNDCs, ways of improving transparency in GHG reporting, enablers and barriers toachieve the national targets, key mitigation and adaptation strategies, and role offinance, international cooperation, and stakeholder engagement, etc. in effective
implementation of PA in the selected country.
• Format:Page 2 of 5

o Arial 12, 1.5 space, justified alignment, double side, cover page, references (in-text
citation and bibliography can include both reports and academic articles)o Harvard referencing styleo Maximum of 3,500 words (excluding references)

3. Course Objectives and Learning Goals:
This course will aim at enhancing the understanding of the students on the key climateagreements, and their modalities and relevance for the Paris Agreement. It will discuss thekey articles of the agreement in detail, including that on climate change mitigation (Article4), market mechanisms (Article 6), climate change adaptation (Article 7), Finance (Article 9),transparency (Article 13), and Global Stocktake (GST, Article 14). The course will also
examine the enablers and barriers in the context of the science-policy interface in the current
climate regime. First, the course will present an overview of the UNFCCC agreement and its
Kyoto Protocol, discussing key modalities and goalposts. Second, it discusses each key article,
as mentioned above, in the context of negotiations, rules and procedures agreed, and its
relevant science-policy aspects. Third, the course will provide an opportunity to develop
students’ ability to explore information on climate change data and policy and measures
which are necessary to consider solutions of different goals of the Paris Agreement for acommon temperature goal.

4. Course Outline
Lecture /DateContentAssignment
Block 1: Climate Science, Mitigation, and Reporting
Lecture 1
3rd Oct- Orientation and course overview- Introduction to climate science and need for
global agreements
Lecture 2
10th Oct - Overview of UNFCCC and Kyoto Protocol- Overview of the Paris Agreement

Dr. Akio Takemoto
Dr. Himangana Gupta
Dr. Atsushi SatoDr. Himangana Gupta
Dr. Atsushi Sato

Lecture 3

17th Oct

Climate mitigation Part 1- Transparency framework (Article 13)- Mitigation rules and NDCs (Article 3 and 4)

Dr. Atsushi Sato

Lecture 4

24th Oct

Climate mitigation Part 2- GHG inventories: Monitoring, calculation, anddata management

Dr. Atsushi Sato

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Lecture /DateAssignment
Lecture 5
31st Oct

ContentInstructor

Assignment 1 – Class presentation (NDCs andGHG emissions)Dr. Akio Takemoto
Dr. Himangana Gupta
Dr. Atsushi Sato

Block 2: Adaptation, loss and damage, and global stocktake
Lecture 6
7th Nov
Climate adaptation Part 1- Impacts, vulnerability and adaptation needs- Global goal on adaptation and reporting- Introduction to loss and damage
Lecture 7
14th Nov Climate adaptation Part 2- Adaptation planning and implementation- Loss and damage estimations; financestLecture 821 Nov Integrating climate mitigation and adaptation- Land-based options such as REDD+, NbS, EbA- Case examples of implementation
thLecture 9
28 Nov - Action for Climate Empowerment under PA- Global Stocktake
Lecture 10

14th Dec

Assignment 2 – Class Presentation: Mitigation
and adaptation

Lecture 13

25th Jan

Lecture 14

30th Jan

Lecture 15

6th Feb

Paris Agreement Implementation:
multistakeholder engagement(Article 10, 11 and 12)
Market mechanisms under the Paris
Agreement (Article 6)
Net-zero targets and relevance of circular
economy for PA implementation

Dr. Himangana Gupta

Dr. Naoyuki Okano
Ms. Nagisa Shiiba(IGES)Dr. Himangana Gupta
Dr. Atsushi SatoDr. Himangana Gupta

Dr. Akio Takemoto
Dr. Himangana Gupta
Dr. Atsushi Sato
Block 3: Means of implementation – Finance and international cooperation
Lecture 11
9th JanInternational cooperation of climate change JICA - Office for
Example of Japan International Cooperation
Climate Change
Agency (JICA) - Article 10, 11 and 12
Lecture 12
16th Jan Climate finance and role of Private sector
Dr. Kanako Morita(Article 2.1.(c) and 9)
Mr. Makoto Kato(OECC)
tbc
Dr. Joni Jupesta

Assignment 3 – Research paper (25th Feb 2024)

Important Information
Class Conduct & Etiquette
Students are expected to arrive on time and not to engage in disruptive behaviours during class, e.g.,
private conversations, using cell phones and other electronic devices, and reading newspapers. Cellphones should be switched off and stored in a bag. We wish to create an atmosphere of open andPage 4 of 5

tolerant discussion in the classroom and request students recognise every individual’s right to have anopinion. The lecturer and other students should be treated with dignity and respect, particularly indiscussions on contentious political issues where diverse opinions are likely to arise. However, we also
recognise tolerance limits, and the lecturer reserves the right to request disciplinary action against any
student who violates this policy or repeatedly shows disruptive behaviours in class.
Academic Misconduct
If evidence of academic misconduct on tasks and final test should be found, the student may receive a
failing grade for the entire course and will be reported to the appropriate authorities for disciplinaryaction.
Computer Use in Class
The use of computers (including tablets) in the classroom is restricted to taking notes, reading thecourse material, or searching for course-related information on the internet. Any disruption of the classby cell phones, instant messaging programs, or other communication devices will not be tolerated. The
lecturer reserves the right to revoke this permission if a student is found using a computer for any noncourse-related activities.
Plagiarism & Academic Misconduct
Please be aware that the consequences of plagiarism are severe, and students found guilty of academic
misconduct will be punished in accordance with UNU’s academic honesty policies. The lecturer
reserves the right to run all assignments through anti-plagiarism software provided by the UNU. If
evidence of academic misconduct on the assigned presentations, the mid-term exam or the final essay
should be found, the assignment will receive a failing grade. In case of repeated violations of academic
conduct, the student may receive a failing grade for the entire course and will be reported to theappropriate authorities for disciplinary action.

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