Paris Climate Accord

The Paris Climate Accord, also known as the Paris Agreement, is a landmark international treaty on climate change adopted in 2015. It was negotiated under the auspices of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) during the 21st Conference of the Parties (COP21) in Paris, France. This agreement is a significant development in global efforts to combat climate change and mitigate its impacts.

Objectives

The primary goal of the Paris Agreement is to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, with an aspirational target of limiting the increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius. This is crucial to reduce the risks and impacts of climate change, such as severe droughts, heatwaves, and rising sea levels.

Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)

A key element of the Paris Agreement is the concept of nationally determined contributions (NDCs). Each participating country is required to formulate and regularly update its NDC, which outlines the actions they will take to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change. These contributions are meant to be increasingly ambitious over time, reflecting the global collective effort to combat climate change.

Implementation and Ratcheting Mechanism

The agreement operates on a five-year cycle of increasingly ambitious climate action, known as the "ratcheting up" mechanism. Countries are expected to submit updated NDCs every five years, with each new commitment being more ambitious than the previous. This mechanism encourages countries to continuously enhance their climate actions in response to the evolving scientific understanding of climate change.

Participation and Global Influence

As of its inception, the Paris Agreement received widespread global support, with 196 parties to the UNFCCC, including every nation, signing the agreement. Notably, the United States initially signed the agreement under the Obama administration, but later withdrew under the Trump administration. The United States rejoined the agreement following the election of President Joe Biden.

The agreement represents a significant step forward in international climate policy, as it includes commitments from both developed and developing countries. This marks a departure from previous climate agreements, which primarily imposed binding commitments only on developed nations.

Challenges and Criticisms

While the Paris Agreement is celebrated for its inclusivity and ambition, it faces several challenges. The non-binding nature of its emission targets has been criticized for lacking enforcement mechanisms. Moreover, the financial and technological support pledged to developing countries for climate adaptation and mitigation remains a contentious issue.