Paris Agreement

Definition

The Paris Agreement is a landmark international accord adopted in 2015 to combat climate change and limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, aiming for 1.5 degrees Celsius. It brings together nearly all nations in a unified effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance resilience to climate impacts, and support developing countries in their climate action efforts.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Paris Agreement was adopted by 196 parties at the 21st Conference of the Parties (COP21) in Paris, France, marking a significant step in global climate governance.
2. Countries are required to set and update their NDCs every five years to reflect their highest level of ambition in reducing emissions.
3. The agreement emphasizes the importance of financial support for developing countries, enabling them to enhance their capacity for climate adaptation and mitigation.
4. A key feature of the Paris Agreement is its bottom-up approach, allowing countries to tailor their commitments based on national circumstances and capabilities.
5. The goal of limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius was added as an urgent target based on scientific evidence highlighting the catastrophic impacts of exceeding this threshold.

Review Questions

• How does the Paris Agreement incorporate the concept of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), and why is this significant?
  • The Paris Agreement utilizes Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) as a fundamental mechanism for countries to outline their specific commitments to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This approach is significant because it allows nations to establish targets based on their individual circumstances and capabilities, fostering a sense of ownership and accountability. By requiring regular updates every five years, the agreement promotes progressive enhancement of climate action over time, making it adaptable to evolving scientific knowledge and socio-economic conditions.
• Evaluate how the Paris Agreement addresses the needs of developing countries in the context of climate change.
  • The Paris Agreement recognizes that developing countries face unique challenges related to climate change and emphasizes the need for financial and technical support. It includes provisions for developed nations to assist developing countries in both mitigation and adaptation efforts through mechanisms like the Green Climate Fund. This support is crucial for building resilience, as many vulnerable nations lack the resources needed to effectively respond to climate impacts, thereby ensuring a more equitable global approach to tackling climate change.
• Discuss the broader implications of the Paris Agreement for global cooperation on environmental challenges beyond climate change.
  • The Paris Agreement represents a significant shift towards collaborative global governance in addressing environmental challenges, setting a precedent for international cooperation that can extend beyond climate issues. By uniting countries around a common goal with shared responsibilities, it fosters a framework that can be applied to other pressing global concerns such as biodiversity loss and pollution control. The agreement encourages multi-stakeholder engagement, including involvement from NGOs, local communities, and the private sector, paving the way for holistic approaches that integrate social justice and sustainability across various environmental contexts.

Related terms

Greenhouse Gases: Gases in the Earth's atmosphere that trap heat, contributing to global warming; major examples include carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4).

Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs): Each country's self-defined climate action plan under the Paris Agreement, outlining its goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to climate change.

Climate Change Mitigation: Efforts and strategies aimed at reducing or preventing the emission of greenhouse gases to limit the magnitude of future climate change.