How Many Countries Have Met the Paris Agreement?

By Michael Ferguson

The Paris Agreement, which was signed in 2015, is an international treaty that aims to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. The agreement is a critical step towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions and preventing the catastrophic effects of climate change.

But how many countries have met the goals set out by the Paris Agreement? Let’s take a closer look.

What is the Paris Agreement?

The Paris Agreement is a legally binding international treaty on climate change that was adopted by 196 countries at the 21st Conference of Parties (COP21) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) held in Paris in December 2015. The goal of the agreement is to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and pursue efforts to limit it even further to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

How Many Countries have Ratified the Paris Agreement?

As of September 2021, a total of 191 countries have ratified the Paris Agreement, including China, India, Russia, and all European Union member states. The United States under President Barack Obama ratified the agreement in September 2016.

However, former President Donald Trump announced in June 2017 that he would withdraw from the agreement, and formally withdrew in November 2020. In January 2021, President Joe Biden signed an executive order for the United States to rejoin the Paris Agreement.

How Many Countries Have Met their Goals?

Under the terms of the Paris Agreement, each country sets its own climate Targets known as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). These Targets are reviewed every five years and are expected to become more ambitious over time.

According to data from Climate Action Tracker, none of the major emitters are currently on track to meet their NDCs. As of September 2021, only two countries, The Gambia and Morocco, have submitted updated NDCs that are consistent with limiting global warming to 1.

Conclusion

The Paris Agreement is a critical step towards addressing the urgent threat of climate change. While many countries have ratified the agreement and set their own climate Targets, very few have met their goals. It is imperative for all countries to take immediate action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and limit global warming to prevent the catastrophic effects of climate change.