Is the Paris Climate Agreement Working?

By Michael Ferguson

The Paris Climate Agreement was adopted in 2015 by 196 countries with the aim of limiting global warming to below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius. The agreement also seeks to strengthen the ability of countries to deal with the impacts of climate change.

What is the Paris Climate Agreement?

The Paris Climate Agreement is a global agreement that was signed by 196 countries with the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and limiting global warming. The agreement was negotiated under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and entered into force on November 4, 2016.

The agreement aims to create a pathway for countries to transition towards a low-carbon economy, while also providing support for vulnerable countries affected by climate change. Each country sets its own voluntary emissions Target known as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) which they aim to achieve.

Is it Working?

It has been over five years since the adoption of the Paris Climate Agreement, but there is still much debate over whether it is working or not. Some argue that it has been successful in bringing together nations to tackle climate change, while others criticize it for not being ambitious enough.

Positive Aspects

One of the positive aspects of the Paris Climate Agreement is that it has raised awareness about climate change and its impact on our planet. It has also encouraged governments, businesses, and individuals around the world to take action towards reducing their carbon footprint.

Another positive aspect is that several countries have made progress in achieving their NDCs Targets. For instance, Costa Rica managed to generate all of its electricity from renewable sources for over two months in 2020 – a significant achievement towards reaching their goal of being carbon neutral by 2050.

Negative Aspects

Despite these positive outcomes, not all countries are on track to meet their NDCs Targets. In fact, a report by the United Nations found that the world is still not on track to limit global warming to 1.

The report also highlighted that current NDCs commitments would only lead to a 1% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, which is far below what is needed to avoid the worst impacts of climate change.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while the Paris Climate Agreement has brought attention to climate change and encouraged countries to take action, there is still much work that needs to be done. The agreement alone will not be enough to limit global warming to below 2 degrees Celsius.

It is crucial for countries around the world to take more ambitious actions towards reducing their carbon footprint and transitioning towards renewable energy sources. Only then can we hope to achieve a sustainable future for ourselves and generations to come.