What Is the Current Status of the Paris Agreement?

By Alice Nichols

The Paris Agreement is an international agreement formed to combat climate change. It was adopted by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 2015 and signed by 195 countries. The main aim of this agreement is to limit the global temperature rise below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit it even further to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

Background:

Climate change has become one of the most pressing issues of our time. The increasing greenhouse gas emissions have led to a rise in temperatures, causing melting glaciers, rising sea levels, and extreme weather conditions like hurricanes, droughts, and floods. The Paris Agreement was formed as a response to this crisis.

The Current Status:

The Paris Agreement has been in effect since November 4, 2016. As of today, a total of 189 countries have ratified the agreement. However, the United States, one of the largest emitters of greenhouse gases globally, withdrew from the agreement in November 2020 under the leadership of former President Donald Trump.

Impact:

Despite the withdrawal of the US government, other countries are still determined to achieve their Targets under the Paris Agreement. Many countries have pledged to reduce their carbon emissions and transition towards renewable sources of energy.

The agreement also aims to mobilize financial resources for developing countries that are particularly vulnerable to climate change impacts. The Green Climate Fund was established under this agreement with a goal of raising $100 billion annually by 2020.

The Challenges:

One of the biggest challenges facing the implementation of this agreement is meeting its ambitious Targets. Many countries are struggling with meeting their pledged Targets due to economic limitations or political hurdles.

Another challenge is ensuring transparency and accountability in reporting emissions data. To ensure that all parties are following through with their commitments, a transparent monitoring system needs to be put in place.

Conclusion:

The Paris Agreement is an important milestone in the fight against climate change. While the withdrawal of the US government is certainly a setback, it is still encouraging to see other countries continue to work towards achieving their Targets. It is crucial that we all work together to ensure that we limit the global temperature rise and protect our planet for future generations.