The Paris Climate Agreement, also known as the Paris Agreement, is an international treaty that was adopted in 2015 at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of Parties (COP21). The agreement aims to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius. But what does the Paris Climate Agreement really do?
Targets and Contributions
The Paris Climate Agreement sets Targets for countries to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. Each country sets its own Targets, known as nationally determined contributions (NDCs), which are reviewed every five years to ensure that they are ambitious enough. These NDCs can include reducing carbon dioxide emissions, promoting renewable energy sources, and increasing energy efficiency.
Transparency
The Paris Climate Agreement requires transparency in reporting and monitoring of greenhouse gas emissions. Countries must regularly report on their emissions and progress towards meeting their NDCs. This helps to ensure that countries are accountable for their actions and that progress can be tracked.
Funding
The Paris Climate Agreement provides financial support for developing countries. Developed countries have committed to providing $100 billion per year by 2020 to help developing countries with mitigation and adaptation efforts. This funding is intended to support developing countries in transitioning towards low-carbon economies and adapting to the impacts of climate change.
Criticism
Some critics argue that the Paris Climate Agreement is not ambitious enough. The Targets set by countries may not be sufficient to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius, let alone 1. Additionally, the agreement is legally binding but lacks enforcement mechanisms, so there are no penalties for countries that do not meet their Targets.
Withdrawal
The Paris Climate Agreement allows countries to withdraw. In 2017, the United States announced its intention to withdraw from the agreement. However, the process of withdrawal takes several years, so the United States officially remained a party to the agreement until November 2020.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Paris Climate Agreement is an international treaty that aims to limit global warming and promote sustainable development. While it has received criticism for not being ambitious enough and lacking enforcement mechanisms, it is an important step towards addressing the global challenge of climate change. The transparency and funding mechanisms provided by the agreement can help to ensure that progress is made towards meeting the Targets set by countries.