The Paris Climate Agreement is an international treaty that aims to limit global warming and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It was adopted on December 12, 2015, by 196 countries at the 21st Conference of the Parties (COP21) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
The agreement represents a historic milestone in the fight against climate change and sets ambitious Targets for all signatories. So, let’s take a closer look at what the Paris Climate Agreement says.
The Goals of the Paris Climate Agreement
The primary objective of the Paris Climate Agreement is to keep global temperatures from rising more than 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. The agreement also aims to pursue efforts to limit temperature increases even further, to 1.5 degrees Celsius. This is considered crucial in order to avoid the most catastrophic impacts of climate change, such as sea-level rise, more frequent and intense heatwaves and cyclones, food scarcity, and other serious environmental consequences.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions
To achieve these goals, countries have committed to reducing their greenhouse gas emissions. Each country has submitted its own voluntary Target for reducing emissions known as “nationally determined contributions” or NDCs. These Targets are reviewed every five years with a view to strengthening them over time.
Financing and Support for Developing Countries
The Paris Agreement also includes provisions for financing and support for developing countries that are particularly vulnerable to climate change impacts. Developed countries have agreed to provide $100 billion per year in climate finance by 2020, with a commitment to further increase this amount in subsequent years.
Transparency and Accountability
Finally, the Paris Climate Agreement includes provisions for transparency and accountability. Countries are required to report their progress towards meeting their emissions reduction Targets regularly and transparently. There is also a mechanism for reviewing and assessing progress that allows for peer review and technical expert analysis.
Conclusion
In summary, the Paris Climate Agreement represents a significant global effort to address the threat of climate change. Its ambitious goals and provisions for transparency, financing, and support for developing countries demonstrate a commitment to action that is urgently needed. While challenges remain in implementing the agreement’s provisions, ongoing efforts to strengthen commitments and improve transparency offer hope for a sustainable future.