What Is the Paris Agreement for
The Paris Agreement is an international treaty created to combat the effects of climate change. It was adopted by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in December 2015 and entered into force on November 4, 2016. The agreement has been signed by 197 parties, including 189 countries and the European Union.
The primary goal of the Paris Agreement is to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions and limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. The agreement also aims to enhance the ability of countries to adapt to the adverse impacts of climate change, promote sustainable development, and foster climate resilience.
To achieve these goals, the Paris Agreement requires each country to submit a nationally determined contribution (NDC) that outlines their specific climate mitigation and adaptation measures. The NDCs are not legally binding, but they represent a country`s commitment to reducing their carbon footprint and transitioning to a low-carbon economy.
The Paris Agreement also includes provisions for financial assistance from developed countries to developing countries to support their transition to a low-carbon economy and help them adapt to the impacts of climate change. The agreement also establishes a framework for monitoring, reporting, and verifying the progress of each country in implementing their NDCs.
The Paris Agreement is widely regarded as a historic achievement in international climate diplomacy. It represents a universal recognition of the urgency of addressing climate change and the need for collective action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate its impacts.
However, the Paris Agreement has faced significant challenges, particularly from the United States, which under the Trump administration withdrew from the agreement in 2017. The Biden administration has since rejoined the agreement and pledged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50% by 2030.
In conclusion, the Paris Agreement is a landmark international treaty aimed at combating the effects of climate change. It requires each country to submit a nationally determined contribution outlining their specific climate mitigation and adaptation measures, and provides a framework for monitoring and reporting progress. While it has faced challenges in implementation, the Paris Agreement remains a critical tool in the global effort to address climate change.