The Paris Agreement: Driving Global Climate Action

Overview of The Paris Agreement

The Paris Agreement, adopted on December 12, 2015, at the 21st Conference of the Parties (COP21) in Paris, is a landmark international accord that unites nations in the fight against climate change. The primary goal of the agreement is to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, with efforts to cap the temperature increase at 1.5 degrees Celsius. This target aims to significantly reduce the risks and impacts of climate change.

  • Key Objectives

    1. Mitigation: Reduce greenhouse gas emissions to achieve a balance between emissions and removals by the second half of the century. Countries have submitted their own nationally determined contributions (NDCs) outlining their plans to reduce emissions.
    2. Adaptation: Strengthen the ability of countries to deal with the impacts of climate change by building resilience and reducing vulnerability.
    3. Finance: Mobilize financial resources to support developing countries in their mitigation and adaptation efforts. Developed countries are expected to provide $100 billion per year by 2020, with a commitment to further financing thereafter.
    4. Transparency: Establish a transparent framework for monitoring, reporting, and verifying countries’ climate actions. This includes regular global stocktakes to assess collective progress towards achieving the long-term goals.

  • Implementation and Progress

    The Paris Agreement entered into force on November 4, 2016, after being ratified by at least 55 countries accounting for at least 55% of global greenhouse gas emissions. As of 2023, nearly 190 countries have ratified the agreement, demonstrating a strong global commitment to addressing climate change.

    Countries must submit updated NDCs every five years, reflecting progressively more ambitious climate action. The agreement also includes mechanisms for international cooperation, such as carbon markets, to enhance cost-effective emissions reductions.

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  • Impact and Challenges

    The Paris Agreement has galvanized global climate action and has been a critical framework for international cooperation. However, challenges remain, including the need for more ambitious targets, enhanced financial support for developing countries, and addressing non-compliance.

    For further information on the Paris Agreement, you can refer to these sources:

    By uniting countries around the world, the Paris Agreement represents a significant step forward in the global effort to combat climate change and secure a sustainable future for all.

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