The Paris Agreement is a landmark international climate accord adopted by 195 countries in December 2015. Its purpose is to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase even further to 1.5 degrees Celsius. This agreement has three primary objectives or aims that are crucial for achieving its goals.
Aim 1: Mitigation
Mitigation refers to reducing greenhouse gas emissions to curb global warming. The first aim of the Paris Agreement is to enhance the ability of countries to do so by setting a long-term goal of reaching net-zero emissions in the second half of this century. This means that countries will have to balance any remaining emissions with removals or offsets, such as planting forests or using carbon capture and storage technology.
How Will This Be Achieved?
To achieve this aim, countries have submitted their own nationally determined contributions (NDCs) outlining their emission reduction Targets and strategies. These NDCs are reviewed every five years, and countries are encouraged to update them with more ambitious Targets over time.
Aim 2: Adaptation
Adaptation refers to preparing for and responding to the impacts of climate change, such as sea-level rise, droughts, floods, and extreme weather events. The second aim of the Paris Agreement is to enhance adaptive capacity, strengthen resilience, and reduce vulnerability to climate change.
To achieve this aim, the Paris Agreement established a global goal on adaptation and created a framework for assessing adaptation needs, actions, and support. It also recognized the importance of providing adequate financial resources, technology transfer, and capacity-building support for developing countries that are particularly vulnerable to climate impacts.
Aim 3: Finance
Finance refers to providing financial resources for mitigation and adaptation actions in developing countries. The third aim of the Paris Agreement is to mobilize and scale up financial resources from various sources, including public funds, private investment, and innovative financing mechanisms.
To achieve this aim, the Paris Agreement established a process to track and report on climate finance flows and set a global goal to mobilize $100 billion per year by 2020 from developed countries to support developing country actions. It also encouraged developed countries to provide additional financial resources after 2020 and called for a balance between mitigation and adaptation finance.
- Conclusion:
In conclusion, the Paris Agreement has three aims that are closely interlinked and mutually reinforcing: mitigation, adaptation, and finance. These aims reflect the urgent need for collective action to address the global challenge of climate change. By working together towards these aims, countries can not only protect our planet but also create new opportunities for sustainable development, social inclusion, and economic growth.