The Paris Agreement, also known as the Paris Climate Accord, is a landmark international treaty signed by 197 countries in December 2015. Its purpose is to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Here are some key aspects of the Paris Agreement that you should know.
1. Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)
Each country that signed the Paris Agreement is required to submit a plan to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, known as a Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC). These plans are reviewed every five years to ensure that countries are on track to meet their targets.
2. Long-term goal
The Paris Agreement sets a long-term goal to limit global warming to 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. This goal is in line with the scientific consensus on the need to avoid the worst impacts of climate change.
3. Adaptation
The Paris Agreement recognizes that some impacts of climate change are unavoidable, and calls for countries to strengthen their efforts to adapt to these impacts. This includes measures such as building sea walls, improving water management, and enhancing emergency response capacity.
4. Finance
The Paris Agreement includes provisions for developed countries to provide financial support to developing countries to help them mitigate and adapt to climate change. This includes a commitment to mobilize $100 billion per year by 2020, and a goal to increase this amount by 2025.
5. Transparency
The Paris Agreement includes provisions for transparency and accountability to ensure that countries are meeting their commitments. This includes regular reporting on emissions and progress towards meeting NDCs, as well as a global stocktake every five years to assess collective progress towards the long-term goal.
In conclusion, the Paris Agreement is a critical international treaty that seeks to address the urgent threat of climate change. By setting ambitious targets, promoting adaptation, ensuring transparency, and providing financial support, it offers a framework for countries to work together to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect our planet for future generations.