What Does the Paris Climate Agreement Do?

By Michael Ferguson

The Paris Climate Agreement is a historic international accord that was adopted by all 196 parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in December 2015. The goal of this agreement is to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, with a Target of limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

What does the Paris Climate Agreement aim to achieve?

The Paris Climate Agreement aims to achieve several objectives, including:

1. Mitigating greenhouse gas emissions:
The agreement aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by increasing the use of renewable energy sources, improving energy efficiency, and reducing deforestation and other land-use changes.

2. Adapting to the impacts of climate change:
The agreement recognizes that climate change is already affecting people and ecosystems around the world and aims to help countries adapt to these impacts.

3. Mobilizing finance for climate action:
The agreement acknowledges that developing countries will need financial support from developed countries in order to implement their climate action plans.

How does the Paris Climate Agreement work?

Under the Paris Climate Agreement, each country has submitted an Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) outlining their national climate action plan. The INDCs are not legally binding, but they are a commitment by each country to address climate change.

In addition, countries are required to report on their progress towards meeting their INDCs every five years through a process called the Global Stocktake.

Why is the Paris Climate Agreement important?

The Paris Climate Agreement is important because it represents a global commitment to addressing climate change. It is also significant because it recognizes that all countries have a role to play in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to the impacts of climate change.

Furthermore, the agreement provides a framework for international cooperation on climate action and helps to build trust among countries.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Paris Climate Agreement is a vital step towards addressing the urgent threat of climate change. It represents a global commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, adapting to the impacts of climate change, and mobilizing finance for climate action. While there is still much work to be done, the Paris Climate Agreement provides a framework for international cooperation that can help us tackle this global challenge together.