The Paris Climate Agreement, also known as the Paris Agreement, is an international treaty on climate change. It was adopted by 195 countries in December 2015 and entered into force on November 4, 2016. The primary goal of the agreement 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.
What Did the Paris Climate Agreement Do?
The Paris Climate Agreement:
- Provides a framework for countries to work together and take action on climate change
- Calls for regular reporting and transparency on each country’s emissions and efforts to reduce them
- Encourages developed countries to provide financial support to developing countries to help them transition to low-carbon economies
- Recognizes the importance of preserving forests as a means of reducing greenhouse gas emissions
Targets:
Under the Paris Agreement, each country sets its own emissions reduction Targets, known as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). These Targets are not legally binding but are intended to be strengthened over time.
The main goals of the NDCs are:
- To reduce greenhouse gas emissions in line with the long-term goal of limiting global warming
- To increase adaptation efforts and resilience to the impacts of climate change
- To support sustainable development and poverty eradication
Progress So Far:
As of September 2021, all parties except for Eritrea have signed onto the Paris Agreement, and all parties except for Iran have ratified it. However, progress towards meeting the goals of the agreement has been slow. A report by the United Nations in 2020 found that countries’ current NDCs are not ambitious enough to limit global warming to below 2 degrees Celsius, let alone 1.
Conclusion:
The Paris Climate Agreement is a significant step towards addressing climate change on a global scale. While its success ultimately depends on the actions of individual countries, the agreement provides a framework for cooperation and accountability.
It also sends a signal to the private sector that low-carbon investments are essential for long-term sustainability. As we continue to face the impacts of climate change, it is more important than ever to work together towards a sustainable future.