The Paris Agreement: An Agreement to Tackle Climate Change
The Paris Agreement is an international treaty that was adopted in December 2015 with the aim of limiting global warming to below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. The Agreement was a result of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP21) that was held in Paris and was signed by 195 countries.
The Paris Agreement is a legally binding agreement that sets out a framework for countries to combat climate change. It came into force on 4 November 2016, after it was ratified by at least 55 countries that represent at least 55% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
The Agreement requires countries to make voluntary and nationally determined contributions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. These commitments are called nationally determined contributions (NDCs) and are submitted by countries every five years. The NDCs set out the actions that countries will take to reduce their emissions.
The Paris Agreement also establishes a global goal to limit global warming to below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. In addition, it sets out a long-term goal to limit the increase in global average temperature to well below 2 degrees Celsius and to pursue efforts to limit the increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
The Paris Agreement has been hailed as a historic achievement in the fight against climate change. It has been widely supported by governments, businesses, and civil society organizations around the world. However, the implementation of the Agreement remains a challenge.
One of the key challenges facing the implementation of the Paris Agreement is the lack of adequate climate financing. Developing countries, in particular, have called for more support from developed countries to help them implement their NDCs.
Another challenge is the lack of political will to implement the Agreement. The United States, which is one of the largest emitters of greenhouse gases, announced its intention to withdraw from the Paris Agreement in 2017. However, President Joe Biden has since announced that the United States will rejoin the Agreement.
Despite these challenges, the Paris Agreement represents a significant step forward in the global effort to combat climate change. It provides a framework for international cooperation and sets out clear goals and objectives for countries to work towards. With continued commitment and collaboration, the Paris Agreement has the potential to help create a more sustainable and resilient future for all.