Paris Agreement

Definition

The Paris Agreement is an international treaty adopted in 2015 to address climate change and its impacts by limiting global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, with efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius. This landmark agreement reflects a collective commitment by countries worldwide to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance their resilience against climate-related disruptions.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Paris Agreement was adopted on December 12, 2015, during COP21 in Paris, France, and has been ratified by nearly all countries in the world.
2. The agreement encourages nations to submit updated NDCs every five years, reflecting their increasing ambition to combat climate change over time.
3. It includes a framework for transparency and accountability, requiring countries to report on their emissions and progress toward their targets regularly.
4. Developed nations are expected to provide financial assistance to developing countries as part of the agreement, helping them transition to low-emission economies and adapt to climate change effects.
5. The long-term goal of the Paris Agreement is to achieve carbon neutrality by mid-century, which means balancing greenhouse gas emissions with removal efforts.

Review Questions

• How do Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) function within the framework of the Paris Agreement, and why are they important?
  • NDCs are central to the Paris Agreement as they represent each country's self-determined plan for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. By setting specific targets, countries demonstrate their commitment to mitigating climate change while allowing flexibility in how they achieve these goals. The importance of NDCs lies in their role as measurable benchmarks that enable accountability and encourage nations to enhance their efforts over time as they report on progress every five years.
• Discuss the role of the Green Climate Fund in supporting the objectives of the Paris Agreement.
  • The Green Climate Fund plays a crucial role in fulfilling the objectives of the Paris Agreement by providing financial resources to developing countries. These funds are essential for enabling these nations to implement their NDCs effectively and adapt to the impacts of climate change. By supporting sustainable development initiatives and facilitating technology transfer, the Green Climate Fund helps ensure that all countries can participate in global climate action equitably.
• Evaluate how the transparency framework established by the Paris Agreement enhances international cooperation on climate change.
  • The transparency framework of the Paris Agreement enhances international cooperation by creating a system where countries must regularly report their greenhouse gas emissions and progress towards their targets. This accountability builds trust among nations, encouraging collaboration and peer pressure that can lead to stronger commitments. Moreover, sharing data fosters a collective understanding of global emissions trends, allowing for informed decision-making and strategic planning necessary for effective climate action on a global scale.

Related terms

Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs): These are individual commitments made by each country under the Paris Agreement to outline their specific goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to climate change.

Green Climate Fund: An international fund established to support the efforts of developing countries to respond to the challenge of climate change, particularly in terms of mitigation and adaptation.

COP (Conference of the Parties): The COP refers to the supreme decision-making body of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, where countries meet annually to assess progress and set future climate goals.