Taking the Paris process forward- The Hindu Editorial with vocab - September 9,2016

The ratification of the Paris Agreement on climate change by the United States and China, which together account for 38 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, provides much-needed momentum for the global compact (agreement) to be in force beyond 2020. As UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has emphasised (पर जोर दिया), 26 countries have already acceded to the accord; to reach the target of 55 per cent emissions, 29 more must come on board. For the U.S., this is a landmark departure from its long-held position of not accepting a binding treaty like the Kyoto Protocol, where emerging economies heavily reliant (depend आत्मनिर्भर) on fossil fuels have no firm commitments. The Paris Agreement addressed this issue by stipulating voluntary but verifiable emissions reduction goals for all parties, within the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities that underpin the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. Contrary to the belief that a requirement to cut GHGs will make economies less competitive, a major section of global industry and business has reaffirmed (state again strongly) the potential for trillions of dollars in green investments flowing from the ratification of the Paris Agreement by the U.S. and China. This is a clear pointer for India, which is estimated to have the third highest individual country emissions as of 2014.

There are distinct (clearly Noticeable) low-carbon pathways that India has outlined in its national plan submitted to the UNFCCC. Among these, the scaling up (increase) of renewable energy and non-fossil fuel sources to 40 per cent of installed power production capacity by 2030 is predicated on technology transfer and the availability of Green Climate Fund resources. Not much progress has been made in this area, and Minister of State for Environment Anil Madhav Dave confirmed recently that no contribution had been received from the Fund. Helping India lock in the right technologies in its growth trajectory (getting higher) is important for a global reduction in greenhouse gases. It is important for the U.S. to help accelerate this process in the area of power generation, following up on the assurances given by Secretary of State John Kerry during his recent visit on clean energy finance, technology, solar catalytic funding and help for power grid upgradation. New Delhi can, in parallel, do much more on domestic policy to achieve green and low energy intensive growth — such as taxing fossil fuels, managing emissions from waste better and making low-carbon buildings mandatory. India joined other G20 countries at Hangzhou to commit itself to addressing climate change through domestic policy measures. For that to happen, the Centre must initiate a serious discussion with the States on the national imperatives.

Ratify - (especially of governments or organizations) to make an agreement official

accede to sth — phrasal verb - to agree to do what people have asked you to do

treaty - a written agreement between two or more countries, formally approved and signed by their leaders

binding -adjective - (especially of an agreement) that cannot be legally avoided or stopped

bind sb to sth — phrasal verb - to force someone to keep a promise

stipulate - तय - demand or specify (a requirement), typically as part of an agreement.

 set down, set out, lay down, set forth, state clearly

Contrary - opposing, opposed, contradictory, clashing,

 conflicting, antithetical, incompatible,opposite 

The Kyoto Protocol is an international treaty which extends the 1992 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) that commits State Parties to reduce greenhouse gases emissions, based on the premise that (a) global warming exists and (b) human-made CO₂ emissions have caused it.