Paris Agreement On Climate Change
Paris Agreement on Climate Change
The Paris Agreement is a landmark international treaty under the framework of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). It was adopted by 196 parties at the 21st Conference of the Parties (COP21) in Paris, France, on December 12, 2015, and entered into force on November 4, 2016. The agreement aims to strengthen the global response to the threat of climate change by keeping a global temperature rise this century well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase even further to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
Historical Context
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change was established at the Earth Summit in 1992 as an international environmental treaty. It laid the groundwork for future negotiations and agreements aimed at combating climate change, leading to significant milestones such as the Kyoto Protocol. However, the need for a more robust and inclusive framework led to the negotiation of the Paris Agreement, which emerged as part of the Durban platform.
Key Components
Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)
Under the Paris Agreement, each country must determine, plan, and regularly report on its contributions, known as Nationally Determined Contributions, towards mitigating global warming. Unlike the Kyoto Protocol, which imposed legally binding emission reduction targets for developed countries, the Paris Agreement requires all parties, both developed and developing, to engage in climate action.
Transparency and Global Stocktake
The agreement emphasizes transparency, with a robust framework for monitoring progress. Every five years, a global stocktake will assess the collective progress towards achieving the agreement's long-term goals. This process is intended to inform the parties in updating and enhancing their actions and support, in line with the best available science.
Adaptation and Finance
Recognizing that climate change impacts are already being felt, the Paris Agreement affirms the importance of adaptation. It establishes a global goal on adaptation, enhancing adaptive capacity, strengthening resilience, and reducing vulnerability to climate change. Additionally, financial commitments are crucial, with developed countries urged to mobilize $100 billion annually by 2020 to support developing countries in their climate efforts.
Global Participation
The Paris Agreement boasts near-universal participation, with 197 nations having signed it. As of October 2023, 195 parties have ratified the agreement. However, the agreement has faced challenges, including the temporary withdrawal of the United States under the administration of Donald Trump. The U.S. rejoined under President Joe Biden in 2021, reaffirming its commitment to international climate action.
Impact and Future Outlook
While the Paris Agreement marks a significant step forward, its success depends on meaningful action by all parties to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and engage in sustainable development. The agreement has influenced national policies and inspired sub-national entities, businesses, and civil society to take climate action.
The agreement's long-term vision aligns with scientific assessments from organizations like the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which emphasize the need for rapid and unprecedented changes in all aspects of society.