Paris Agreement

Definition

The Paris Agreement is a legally binding international treaty on climate change, adopted by nearly every nation in 2015, aiming to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial levels. This agreement represents a collective effort to address the growing threat of climate change, establishing a framework for nations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance resilience against climate impacts.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Paris Agreement was adopted on December 12, 2015, during COP21 in Paris and entered into force on November 4, 2016.
2. It requires all countries to submit their NDCs every five years, with the goal of increasing ambition over time.
3. The agreement emphasizes the importance of financial support for developing countries to help them transition to low-emission economies and adapt to climate change effects.
4. A significant aspect of the Paris Agreement is its focus on holding global average temperature rise to well below 2 degrees Celsius, while pursuing efforts to limit it to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
5. The United States initially withdrew from the Paris Agreement in 2020 but rejoined in 2021, reflecting ongoing debates about international climate policy and U.S. leadership.

Review Questions

• How does the Paris Agreement create a framework for international cooperation in combating climate change?
  • The Paris Agreement establishes a global framework that encourages nations to collaborate on reducing greenhouse gas emissions through their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). By setting a common goal of limiting global warming, it fosters accountability among nations while allowing flexibility in how they achieve their targets. This cooperative approach enhances the potential for technological innovation, sharing best practices, and mobilizing financial resources, making it a cornerstone of international climate policy.
• Evaluate the challenges that countries face in meeting their commitments under the Paris Agreement.
  • Countries encounter various challenges in meeting their commitments under the Paris Agreement, including political resistance, economic constraints, and technological limitations. For many developing nations, the lack of financial resources and infrastructure hampers their ability to implement effective climate actions. Additionally, domestic policies may conflict with international obligations due to competing priorities such as economic growth and energy security. These factors can hinder progress and require ongoing dialogue and support at the global level.
• Assess the impact of the United States' withdrawal from and subsequent rejoining of the Paris Agreement on global climate governance.
  • The U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement significantly affected global climate governance by undermining international efforts and raising questions about U.S. leadership in addressing climate change. It created uncertainty among other nations regarding their commitments and could have led some countries to reconsider their own ambitions. However, the subsequent rejoining of the agreement by the Biden administration signaled a renewed commitment to multilateral cooperation on climate issues. This move aims to restore U.S. credibility on the world stage while encouraging other nations to enhance their efforts in combating climate change.

Related terms

Greenhouse Gases: Gases such as carbon dioxide and methane that trap heat in the atmosphere, contributing to global warming and climate change.

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 climate action.

Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs): Each country's commitment under the Paris Agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and report on their progress.