IELTS Reading Practice: The Role of International Agreements in Addressing Climate Change

Climate change is one of the most pressing global issues of our time, and international cooperation plays a crucial role in addressing this challenge. This IELTS Reading practice test focuses on the topic of international agreements and their impact on climate change mitigation efforts. Let’s dive into the passages and test your reading comprehension skills!

International climate change agreements

Passage 1 – Easy Text

The Paris Agreement: A Global Effort to Combat Climate Change

The Paris Agreement, adopted in 2015, represents a landmark international treaty in the fight against climate change. This unprecedented accord brings together 196 countries in a collective effort to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, with an ambitious target of 1.5 degrees Celsius. The agreement operates on a five-year cycle of increasingly ambitious climate action carried out by countries.

Under the Paris Agreement, each country must determine, plan, and regularly report on its contributions to mitigate global warming. These nationally determined contributions (NDCs) form the cornerstone of the agreement, reflecting each nation’s efforts to reduce emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change. The agreement also aims to strengthen countries’ abilities to deal with the impacts of climate change and provides a framework for developed countries to assist developing nations in their climate mitigation and adaptation efforts.

One of the key strengths of the Paris Agreement is its flexibility. It recognizes that different countries have varying capabilities and circumstances, allowing for a tailored approach to climate action. This flexibility ensures that both developed and developing countries can contribute meaningfully to the global effort while considering their unique challenges and resources.

The agreement also emphasizes the importance of transparency and accountability. Countries are required to report regularly on their emissions and implementation efforts, which are subject to international review. This process helps build mutual trust and confidence, encouraging countries to scale up their efforts over time.

While the Paris Agreement has been hailed as a significant step forward in international climate cooperation, its success ultimately depends on the sustained commitment and action of all participating countries. As the effects of climate change become increasingly evident, the role of this agreement in guiding global efforts to reduce emissions and build resilience will be crucial in the years to come.

Questions 1-7

Do the following statements agree with the information given in the passage? Write

TRUE if the statement agrees with the information
FALSE if the statement contradicts the information
NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this

1. The Paris Agreement was adopted by all countries in the world.
2. The agreement aims to limit global warming to exactly 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.
3. Countries must report on their climate action efforts every five years.
4. Nationally determined contributions are optional for participating countries.
5. The Paris Agreement provides financial assistance to developing countries for climate action.
6. The agreement allows for different approaches to climate action based on each country’s circumstances.
7. The success of the Paris Agreement is guaranteed due to its comprehensive nature.

Questions 8-10

Complete the sentences below. Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.

8. The Paris Agreement operates on a five-year cycle of increasingly ___ climate action.
9. The agreement emphasizes the importance of ___ and accountability in reporting emissions and implementation efforts.
10. The success of the Paris Agreement depends on the ___ and action of all participating countries.

Passage 2 – Medium Text

The Evolution of International Climate Treaties

The journey towards effective international climate agreements has been long and complex, marked by both progress and setbacks. The inception of global climate diplomacy can be traced back to the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, which gave birth to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). This groundbreaking convention set the stage for future negotiations and agreements by establishing the basic framework for international cooperation to combat climate change.

The first major milestone following the UNFCCC was the Kyoto Protocol, adopted in 1997. This treaty operationalized the UNFCCC by committing industrialized countries to limit and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in accordance with agreed individual targets. The Kyoto Protocol was innovative in its introduction of market-based mechanisms, such as emissions trading, to help countries meet their targets cost-effectively. However, it faced significant challenges, including the non-participation of the United States and the absence of binding commitments for major emerging economies like China and India.

As the limitations of the Kyoto Protocol became apparent, negotiations began for a new, more inclusive agreement. This process culminated in the adoption of the Paris Agreement in 2015, which marked a paradigm shift in international climate policy. Unlike its predecessor, the Paris Agreement adopted a bottom-up approach, allowing countries to set their own targets through Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). This flexibility was key to securing widespread participation, including from major emitters previously reluctant to commit to binding targets.

The Paris Agreement also introduced a robust transparency framework to track progress and hold countries accountable. It established a global stocktake process to assess collective progress every five years, with the expectation that countries would ratchet up their ambitions over time. This dynamic approach was designed to create a cycle of increasing ambition to bridge the gap between current commitments and the long-term temperature goals of the agreement.

Despite these advancements, the implementation of the Paris Agreement has faced numerous challenges. The withdrawal of the United States in 2020 (though it later rejoined) highlighted the vulnerability of international agreements to domestic political changes. Moreover, the aggregate impact of current NDCs remains insufficient to meet the agreement’s temperature goals, underscoring the need for countries to significantly enhance their commitments.

Recent years have seen a growing recognition of the need to address climate change in conjunction with other global challenges. The concept of “climate justice” has gained prominence, emphasizing the disproportionate impacts of climate change on vulnerable populations and the need for equitable solutions. This has led to increased focus on issues such as loss and damage, climate finance, and technology transfer in international negotiations.

As the climate crisis intensifies, the role of international agreements in coordinating global action becomes ever more critical. While these agreements have their limitations, they provide an essential framework for collective action, fostering cooperation, and driving ambition in the face of one of humanity’s greatest challenges.

Questions 11-15

Choose the correct letter, A, B, C, or D.

11. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change was established at:
    A) The Paris Conference
    B) The Kyoto Summit
    C) The Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro
    D) A United Nations General Assembly

12. The Kyoto Protocol was significant because it:
    A) Included all major economies in binding commitments
    B) Introduced market-based mechanisms for emissions reduction
    C) Achieved universal participation from all countries
    D) Successfully limited global temperature rise to 2 degrees Celsius

13. The Paris Agreement differs from the Kyoto Protocol in that it:
    A) Only applies to developed countries
    B) Sets binding emissions targets for all countries
    C) Allows countries to set their own targets through NDCs
    D) Focuses exclusively on adaptation measures

14. The global stocktake process in the Paris Agreement is designed to:
    A) Punish countries that fail to meet their targets
    B) Assess collective progress every year
    C) Replace national climate policies with global standards
    D) Encourage countries to increase their ambitions over time

15. According to the passage, one of the main challenges in implementing the Paris Agreement is:
    A) The lack of a transparency framework
    B) The insufficient impact of current NDCs to meet temperature goals
    C) The absence of market-based mechanisms
    D) The exclusion of developing countries from the agreement

Questions 16-20

Complete the summary below. Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.

The evolution of international climate treaties has been a complex process. The UNFCCC, established at the 1992 (16) , provided the initial framework for global cooperation. The Kyoto Protocol introduced (17) to help countries meet emissions targets cost-effectively. The Paris Agreement marked a (18) in climate policy with its bottom-up approach and flexibility. It also established a (19) to track progress and hold countries accountable. Recent negotiations have increasingly focused on (20) ___, recognizing the disproportionate impact of climate change on vulnerable populations.

Passage 3 – Hard Text

The Efficacy and Limitations of International Climate Agreements

International climate agreements have long been touted as the cornerstone of global efforts to mitigate climate change. These multilateral accords, negotiated under the auspices of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), aim to galvanize collective action and harmonize disparate national policies into a coherent global response. However, the actual efficacy of these agreements in achieving tangible emissions reductions and averting the worst impacts of climate change remains a subject of intense debate among policymakers, scientists, and academics alike.

Proponents of international climate agreements argue that they serve several crucial functions. Firstly, they establish a common framework for action, providing a shared lexicon and set of objectives that facilitate cooperation across diverse national contexts. This standardization is particularly valuable in addressing a quintessentially global problem that defies unilateral solutions. Secondly, these agreements create a platform for knowledge exchange and capacity building, enabling countries to learn from each other’s experiences and best practices. Thirdly, they generate political momentum and public awareness, elevating climate change on national and international agendas and catalyzing action across various sectors of society.

Moreover, international agreements can help overcome the collective action problem inherent in climate change mitigation. By setting collective targets and establishing mechanisms for monitoring and verification, they create a system of mutual accountability that can mitigate the free-rider problem and encourage countries to take more ambitious action than they might otherwise. The Paris Agreement’s “ratchet mechanism,” which requires countries to submit increasingly ambitious nationally determined contributions (NDCs) over time, exemplifies this approach.

However, critics point to several limitations that hamper the effectiveness of international climate agreements. One fundamental challenge is the principle of national sovereignty, which constrains the ability of international accords to impose binding commitments on states. This limitation is exacerbated by the lack of robust enforcement mechanisms in most climate agreements, relying instead on “naming and shaming” and other soft power approaches to ensure compliance. The withdrawal of the United States from the Paris Agreement in 2020 (though it subsequently rejoined) underscored the vulnerability of these agreements to changes in domestic political winds.

Another significant limitation is the persistent gap between the ambition of international agreements and the collective impact of national commitments. Despite the Paris Agreement’s goal of limiting global warming to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, the aggregate effect of current NDCs falls far short of this target. This discrepancy highlights the challenges of translating global aspirations into concrete national actions, particularly in the face of competing economic and political priorities.

The issue of equity and differentiated responsibilities also continues to bedevil international climate negotiations. Developing countries argue for their right to economic growth and point to the historical responsibility of industrialized nations for the bulk of cumulative greenhouse gas emissions. Conversely, developed countries often resist taking on disproportionate burdens, citing the growing emissions from emerging economies. Bridging this divide and ensuring a just transition remains a formidable challenge for international climate diplomacy.

Furthermore, the slow pace of international negotiations and the inertia of the UNFCCC process have led some to question whether these agreements can respond with sufficient urgency to the rapidly escalating climate crisis. The time lag between scientific warnings and policy responses, coupled with the incremental nature of diplomatic progress, has prompted calls for more agile and responsive governance mechanisms.

Despite these limitations, it would be myopic to dismiss the value of international climate agreements entirely. They play a crucial role in setting global norms, coordinating action, and providing a framework for increased ambition over time. However, their effectiveness ultimately depends on complementary efforts at national and subnational levels, as well as engagement from non-state actors such as businesses, civil society organizations, and individuals.

Looking ahead, the evolution of international climate governance may need to embrace more polycentric approaches that complement global agreements with regional, bilateral, and sectoral initiatives. Enhancing the linkages between climate action and other sustainable development goals, leveraging technological innovations, and fostering more robust public-private partnerships could also augment the impact of international agreements. As the window for averting catastrophic climate change narrows, the international community must continuously refine and strengthen its collaborative mechanisms to meet this unprecedented global challenge.

Questions 21-26

Complete the summary below. Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.

International climate agreements aim to (21) collective action and create a coherent global response to climate change. They establish a (22) for action, facilitate knowledge exchange, and generate political momentum. These agreements help overcome the (23) problem by setting collective targets and creating mutual accountability. However, they face limitations such as the principle of (24) , lack of strong enforcement mechanisms, and the gap between global ambitions and national commitments. The issue of (25) between developed and developing countries continues to complicate negotiations. Despite these challenges, international agreements play a crucial role in setting global norms and providing a framework for increased (26) over time.

Questions 27-32

Do the following statements agree with the claims of the writer in the passage? Write

YES if the statement agrees with the claims of the writer
NO if the statement contradicts the claims of the writer
NOT GIVEN if it is impossible to say what the writer thinks about this

27. International climate agreements are universally accepted as the most effective way to address climate change.
28. The Paris Agreement’s “ratchet mechanism” requires countries to submit more ambitious targets over time.
29. The lack of robust enforcement mechanisms in climate agreements is a significant limitation.
30. Developing countries have no responsibility for addressing climate change due to historical emissions from industrialized nations.
31. The slow pace of international negotiations has been criticized as inadequate for addressing the urgent nature of the climate crisis.
32. Polycentric approaches to climate governance could potentially enhance the effectiveness of international efforts.

Questions 33-36

Choose the correct letter, A, B, C, or D.

33. According to the passage, one of the key functions of international climate agreements is to:
    A) Impose legally binding emissions targets on all countries
    B) Provide financial compensation for climate-related losses
    C) Establish a common framework and language for action
    D) Replace national climate policies with global standards

34. The “free-rider problem” in the context of climate change refers to:
    A) Countries benefiting from global action without contributing their fair share
    B) The unequal distribution of climate change impacts across countries
    C) The challenge of transporting people sustainably across borders
    D) The difficulty of pricing carbon emissions in international markets

35. The passage suggests that the effectiveness of international climate agreements is:
    A) Guaranteed by their comprehensive nature
    B) Limited by several factors including national sovereignty and enforcement issues
    C) Primarily dependent on the actions of developed countries
    D) Irrelevant in the face of technological solutions to climate change

36. The author’s perspective on the future of international climate governance can best be described as:
    A) Highly optimistic about current approaches
    B) Completely dismissive of global agreements
    C) Advocating for a more diverse and flexible approach
    D) Focused exclusively on national-level actions

Answer Key

Passage 1

1. FALSE
2. FALSE
3. NOT GIVEN
4. FALSE
5. TRUE
6. TRUE
7. FALSE
8. ambitious
9. transparency
10. sustained commitment

Passage 2

11. C
12. B
13. C
14. D
15. B
16. Earth Summit
17. market-based mechanisms
18. paradigm shift
19. robust transparency framework
20. climate justice

Passage 3

21. galvanize
22. common framework
23. collective action
24. national sovereignty
25. equity
26. ambition
27. NO
28. YES
29. YES
30. NOT GIVEN
31. YES
32. YES
33. C
34. A
35. B
36. C

For more insights on climate change and international cooperation, you might find these articles helpful:

• The Role of International Cooperation in Climate Change Mitigation
• The Importance of International Cooperation in Addressing Climate Change
• How to Promote Public Awareness of Climate Change

These practice passages and questions provide a comprehensive overview of the role of international agreements in addressing climate change, covering various aspects from historical development to current challenges and future prospects. By engaging with this material, you’ll not only improve your IELTS Reading skills but also gain valuable insights into this critical global issue.