Paris Agreement

Definition

The Paris Agreement is an international treaty aimed at combating climate change and its impacts, adopted in December 2015 during the 21st Conference of the Parties (COP21) in Paris, France. This landmark accord unites nearly all nations in a common cause to undertake ambitious efforts to combat climate change by limiting global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, with an aim of restricting it to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Paris Agreement was signed by 196 countries, making it one of the most widely accepted environmental agreements in history.
2. Countries are required to set their own targets for reducing emissions, known as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), and update them every five years to reflect increased ambition.
3. The agreement emphasizes financial assistance for developing countries to help them transition to low-carbon economies and adapt to climate impacts.
4. A key feature of the Paris Agreement is the transparency framework, which requires countries to report on their emissions and progress towards their NDCs.
5. The agreement was inspired by a global scientific consensus that immediate action is necessary to avoid catastrophic climate impacts and ensure a sustainable future.

Review Questions

• How does the Paris Agreement utilize Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to promote individual country commitments toward combating climate change?
  • The Paris Agreement encourages countries to set their own emission reduction targets through Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), allowing for flexibility based on national circumstances. Each country outlines its specific plans for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving resilience to climate impacts. By requiring countries to update their NDCs every five years, the agreement fosters a continuous cycle of ambition and accountability in addressing climate change.
• What are the implications of the financial assistance provisions in the Paris Agreement for developing countries in their fight against climate change?
  • The Paris Agreement includes provisions for financial assistance aimed at supporting developing countries as they transition to low-carbon economies and adapt to the effects of climate change. This support is critical because many developing nations lack the resources and technology needed to implement effective climate strategies. The financial mechanisms established under the agreement facilitate investments in renewable energy projects and infrastructure development, enabling these countries to contribute more effectively to global climate goals.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of the transparency framework within the Paris Agreement in ensuring that countries meet their commitments towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
  • The transparency framework within the Paris Agreement is designed to ensure that countries are held accountable for their commitments by requiring them to regularly report on their emissions and progress towards their NDCs. This system promotes trust and encourages cooperation among nations. However, challenges remain regarding data accuracy and differing capacities among countries, which may impact overall effectiveness. Despite these challenges, the framework serves as a critical tool for monitoring collective progress and driving ongoing improvements in global efforts against climate change.

Related terms

Greenhouse Gases: Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere, contributing to global warming, including carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide.

COP (Conference of the Parties): An annual meeting of countries that are parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to discuss and negotiate measures to address climate change.

Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs): Each country's self-defined climate action plan under the Paris Agreement, detailing their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change.