今回の Topic は、国連英検特Ａ級、２０１２年度第１回の問題からです。

１. Topic                

       How can the UN address the issue of climate change?  

２. Structure

a) Thesis Statement          

        The United Nations has been taking the initiative in promoting collective global effort to tackle climate change with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and its major achievement, 2015 Paris Climate Accord.

b) Body の部分を構成する３つの Paragraph の Main Idea は、

第１ Paragraph　国連は、国際連合気候変動枠組条約（UNFCCC)、及びその成果である気候変動に関するパリ条約（２０１５年）を通して地球温暖化対策において主導的な役割を果たしている

第２ Paragraph　経済社会理事会は発展途上国の地球温暖化対策を財政と技術の両面で支援している

第３ Paragraph　国連は加盟国だけではなく、市民社会、NGOに対しても温室効果ガス削減を促している

３. Sample

       The United Nations has been taking the initiative in promoting collective global effort to tackle climate change with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and its major achievement, 2015 Paris Climate Accord.   

       To begin with, the United Nations would continue to play a significant role in cutting greenhouse gas emissions globally.  The 2015 Paris Climate Accord, which is joined by 197 countries, recommends limiting global warming well below 2 degrees Celsius at first, then below 1.5 degrees, above pre-industrial level.  And the parties to the Agreement set the greenhouse gas emission reduction target.  Moreover, in the Paris Agreement, developed countries promised to provide developing countries with financial aid for combating climate change.      

       In addition, the Economic and Social Council can help developing countries preserve forest, especially rainforest to mitigate climate change.  To achieve the goals of the 2015 Paris Climate Accord, as well as cutting greenhouse gas emissions, combined global efforts to absorb more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere would be needed.  But deforestation in developing countries has been spreading widely because local people have little choice but to cut trees to make their livelihood.  Thanks to the financial aid from developed countries, developing countries would prevent deforestation.           

       Finally, the United Nations can encourage civil societies and the NGOs to reduce fossil fuel consumption and shift to clean and renewable energy sources through the Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC.  Recent advances in technologies have made it possible for clean and renewable energies such as wind and solar power to match the cost of fossil fuels.  Rising public awareness in climate change are accelerating the shift from thermal power plants burning fossil fuels to wind and solar power plants in most developed countries, which has been contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.         

       In conclusion, as I mentioned above, the United Nations can effectively address climate change with the UNFCCC and the 2015 Paris Climate Accord.

 

To be continued.