What Are the Targets of the Paris Agreement?

By Anna Duncan

The Paris Agreement is a historic international climate change treaty that was adopted in December 2015, at the 21st Conference of Parties (COP21) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) held in Paris, France. The agreement is aimed at limiting the global temperature increase to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and pursuing efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius, in order to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change.

What are the Targets of the Paris Agreement?

The Paris Agreement has three main Targets:

1. Mitigation Target:
The first Target of the agreement is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to achieve a balance between anthropogenic emissions by sources and removals by sinks of greenhouse gases in the second half of this century. This means that countries need to take measures to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by transitioning towards a low-carbon economy.

To achieve this Target, countries are required to submit Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), which outline their emission reduction Targets and actions. These NDCs are reviewed every five years and countries are expected to enhance their efforts over time.

2. Adaptation Target:
The second Target of the agreement is to increase adaptive capacity, strengthen resilience and reduce vulnerability to climate change. This includes developing and implementing adaptation plans and strategies, enhancing early warning systems, and improving access to financial resources for adaptation.

Countries are required to submit National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) outlining their adaptation priorities, needs, strategies, and actions. The NAPs can be updated periodically as new information becomes available or as adaptation needs evolve.

3. Finance Target:
The third Target of the agreement is to mobilize financial resources from developed countries for climate action in developing countries. Developed countries have committed to provide financial support for mitigation and adaptation activities in developing countries, as well as for technology transfer and capacity building.

The Paris Agreement has set a goal of mobilizing $100 billion annually by 2020, from a variety of sources, including public funding, private investment, and innovative financing mechanisms. This Target is expected to be revised upwards in the future to reflect the increasing needs of developing countries.

Conclusion

The Paris Agreement is a critical global effort to combat climate change and its adverse effects. Its Targets are ambitious but achievable with the collective efforts of all countries.

The agreement recognizes that climate change is a global problem that requires a global solution, and it provides a framework for coordinated action towards a sustainable future. By reducing greenhouse gas emissions, enhancing adaptive capacity, and mobilizing financial resources for climate action, we can build a more resilient and prosperous world for all.