The Paris Agreement is a landmark international treaty adopted on December 12, 2015, under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Its main objective is to strengthen the global response to the threat of climate change by keeping the 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.
Objectives of the Paris Agreement
The Paris Agreement emphasizes mitigation, adaptation, and finance to address climate change:
- Mitigation: Reducing greenhouse gas emissions to limit global warming.
- Adaptation: Increasing the ability of countries to adapt to the adverse impacts of climate change.
- Finance: Aligning financial flows with a pathway towards low greenhouse gas emissions and climate-resilient development.
Key Provisions of the Paris Agreement
Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)
Countries must prepare, communicate, and maintain successive Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) that they intend to achieve. NDCs represent efforts by each country to reduce national emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change.
Global Stocktake
Every five years, there is a global stocktake to assess collective progress towards achieving the purpose of the Agreement and to inform further actions by Parties.
Transparency Framework
The Agreement establishes an enhanced transparency framework for action and support, giving clarity on emissions and track progress towards NDCs.
Historical Context
The Paris Agreement arose as a successor to the Kyoto Protocol, an earlier international climate agreement adopted in 1997. While the Kyoto Protocol set binding emission reduction targets for industrialized countries, the Paris Agreement involves commitments from both developed and developing countries.
Applicability and Impact
Worldwide Implementation
With 196 Parties, the Paris Agreement embodies a near-universal global commitment. It has transformative implications for policies and measures at international, national, and local levels, affecting energy production, industry, transportation, agriculture, and forestry.
Economic and Environmental Influence
The Agreement encourages sustainable economic growth and resilience against climate impacts, prompting shifts towards renewable energy, energy efficiency, and low-carbon technologies.
Comparisons and Related Terms
Kyoto Protocol vs. Paris Agreement
- Kyoto Protocol: Focused on legally binding emission reduction targets for developed countries.
- Paris Agreement: Involves all countries in voluntary, nationally determined commitments to combat climate change.
Related Terms
- Climate Change: Long-term changes in temperature and weather patterns, mainly due to human activities.
- Greenhouse Gas (GHG): Gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) that trap heat in the Earth’s atmosphere, contributing to global warming.
- Sustainable Development: Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
FAQs
What is the objective of the Paris Agreement?
How are countries held accountable under the Paris Agreement?
How does the Paris Agreement differ from the Kyoto Protocol?
References
- United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The Paris Agreement.
- Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C.
Summary
The Paris Agreement represents a unified global effort to combat climate change by aiming to limit global temperature rise and fostering adaptation and financial support for sustainable development. As a successor to the Kyoto Protocol, it broadens the scope of global climate action by involving both developed and developing nations in the endeavor to secure a healthier planet for future generations.
