What Are the Main Points of the Paris Agreement?

By Alice Nichols

The Paris Agreement is a landmark international treaty that aims to combat climate change by reducing global greenhouse gas emissions and limiting the rise in global temperatures. Signed in 2015, the agreement has been ratified by 189 countries, making it one of the most widely supported treaties in history. In this article, we will explore the main points of the Paris Agreement and what they mean for our planet’s future.

What is the Paris Agreement?

The Paris Agreement is an agreement within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) that was signed by 195 countries in December 2015. Its purpose is to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase even further to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

Main Points of the Paris Agreement

Here are some of the key points of the Paris Agreement:

1. Emission Reduction Targets

All signatory countries have agreed to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and submit their own emissions Targets every five years.

These Targets are called Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). The goal is for all countries to jointly achieve a balance between anthropogenic emissions by sources and removals by sinks of greenhouse gases in the second half of this century.

2. Adaptation Measures

The Paris Agreement recognizes that some climate change impacts are already unavoidable and that it is necessary for countries to adapt to these changes. All signatory countries have committed to developing and implementing adaptation measures to help vulnerable communities cope with climate change impacts such as sea-level rise, droughts, floods, and storms.

3. Financial Support

Developed countries have committed to providing financial support to developing countries for both mitigation and adaptation efforts through various channels such as Green Climate Fund (GCF). The commitment is to provide $100 billion annually by 2020 and to continue this funding until 2025.

4. Transparency and Accountability

The Paris Agreement includes provisions for transparency and accountability to ensure that countries are meeting their commitments. All signatory countries are required to report on their emissions, progress towards their NDCs, and support provided or received for climate actions.

Why is the Paris Agreement important?

The Paris Agreement is important because it represents a global commitment to addressing the urgent challenge of climate change. It recognizes that climate change is a threat to the planet and that immediate action is needed to avoid the worst impacts of climate change.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Paris Agreement is a historic agreement that aims to limit global warming and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Its main points include emission reduction Targets, adaptation measures, financial support, transparency, and accountability. The Paris Agreement represents a global effort to address climate change, but it will require continued commitment from all countries in order to achieve its goals.