Paris Climate Agreement
Paris Climate Agreement
The Paris Agreement is an international treaty established within the framework of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). This landmark accord was adopted during the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference, commonly referred to as COP 21, held in Paris, France. It set forth a global framework to combat climate change by limiting global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, and pursuing efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
Historical Context
The Paris Agreement builds upon the Kyoto Protocol, another major international treaty adopted in 1997 under the UNFCCC. The Kyoto Protocol introduced legally binding emission reduction targets for developed countries, acknowledging their historical responsibility for high levels of greenhouse gas emissions. However, the Paris Agreement takes a more inclusive approach by involving both developed and developing countries, a shift from the Kyoto Protocol's binary division of responsibilities.
Core Elements
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Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs): Unlike the Kyoto Protocol, which set legally binding targets for developed countries, the Paris Agreement relies on Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). Each signatory nation sets its own targets for reducing emissions and reports regularly on its progress.
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Global Stocktake: Every five years, starting in 2023, there will be a "global stocktake" to assess collective progress towards achieving the purpose of the agreement and its long-term goals. This process aims to provide feedback to parties on their efforts.
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Financial Support and Technology Transfer: The agreement emphasizes the necessity of providing financial resources to assist developing countries in their efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change. This includes the mobilization of Green Climate Fund resources and fostering technology transfer.
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Transparency Framework: A robust transparency framework is established to ensure accountability among parties. This framework stipulates the submission of detailed reports that are reviewed by technical experts to track progress and ensure compliance.
Adoption and Signatories
The Paris Agreement was opened for signature on April 22, 2016, and entered into force on November 4, 2016, after being ratified by enough parties to represent at least 55% of global emissions. The agreement has been signed by 195 countries and the European Union, making it a nearly universal pact.
Relationship with the United States
The United States initially signed the Paris Agreement under the administration of President Barack Obama. However, in June 2017, then-President Donald Trump announced the withdrawal of the United States from the agreement, citing economic concerns. The withdrawal became effective on November 4, 2020. Subsequently, President Joe Biden signed an executive order to rejoin the Paris Agreement, which took effect on February 19, 2021.
Global Impact and Future Prospects
The Paris Agreement is seen as a pivotal turning point in the global response to climate change. It underscores the importance of a collaborative, multilateral approach to address the urgent threat posed by climate change. The commitment by countries to set and achieve ambitious climate goals has spurred advancements in clean energy technologies and increased investment in sustainable practices across various sectors.