When it comes to fighting climate change in IB Geography, who do you think makes the biggest difference—governments, international agreements or TNCs? All parties play key roles, but examiners like to ask students to evaluate or assess the efficiency, as well as what they all bring to the table.

Governments can push for wide-reaching laws and long-term plans, while transnational corporations (TNCs) tend to act faster but focus mainly on what benefits their business. Do you agree?

Government Strategy: International Efforts

Since the 1990s, countries have debated how to tackle climate change, resulting in key agreements like the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement. While they agree on the science of climate change, they disagree on who should take responsibility, how to track emissions reductions, and whether to compensate countries most affected. Here’s some further reading providing a critical perspective and timeline of government efforts so far.

Key International Agreements

• UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (1992)
  • Goal: Stabilize greenhouse gas (GHG) levels to avoid dangerous climate change
  • Came into force in 1994 but failed to significantly reduce emissions
  • Set up a framework for climate change but did not demand binding commitment/ targets
  • Led to Kyoto Protocol
    
    
• Kyoto Protocol (1997)
  • Signed by 183 countries
  • High-income countries (HICs) aimed to cut emissions by 20% by 2012 (compared to 1990), (LICs) had no targets
  • Unfortunately, USA didn’t sign; Canada and Australia failed to implement fully
  • Emissions rose in rapidly industrializing countries like China
  • Considered a failure as large polluters (USA/ China) were not onboard
  • Introduced carbon trading, allowing emission credits to be bought and sold
    
    
• Paris Agreement (2015)
  • Signed by 174 countries
  • Goal: Limit warming to ideally 1.5°C
  • No binding national targets or penalties
  • Countries pledge net zero emissions between 2050 and 2100
  • USA and China committed to emission cuts
  • Success depends on political will and investment

National-Level Initiatives

• Reforestation → Increases carbon sinks
• Energy efficiency programs → Improve insulation, LED lighting, and water use controls, ie. government bodies urging homeowners to upgrade energy-saving heat pumps and light bulbs, as well as mandates water-saving taps
• Climate commitments → Norway being powered by 100% renewable energy

Other strategies government have used include technology and geo-engineering

P.S The exam content in these posts is stripped down to the bare minimum for quick revision. Full notes are based directly on past IB exam questions, with detailed case studies and at least three exam-ready points per topic—available here.

Understanding the difference between adaptation and mitigation is crucial. Adaptation refers to strategies that manage the effects of climate change, such as moving to higher ground to avoid flooding. Mitigation involves efforts to address the root causes, like lowering greenhouse gas emissions through international cooperation.

Government vs. TNC: A Different Scope

Unlike TNCs, governments aim to regulate entire sectors and push for long-term, broad changes. However, they face challenges like political resistance and the need for global cooperation. Governments must also secure public support, unlike TNCs who mainly act in their own profit-driven interests.

Further reading: Are Companies Abandoning Climate Action?‌‌ | Yale Insights

Read here for more on Feedback Loops
Read here for more on Global Warming Impacts
Read here for more on Carbon Trading & Carbon Offset
Read here for more on Greenhouse Gas & Enhanced Greenhouse Gas Effect
Full Global Climate Revision Pack available