Paris Agreement

Definition

The Paris Agreement is a landmark international treaty adopted in 2015 that aims to address climate change and its impacts by limiting global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. It represents a collective effort from countries around the world to combat climate change, promote sustainable development, and protect human rights related to environmental issues.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Paris Agreement was adopted on December 12, 2015, during the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of the Parties in Paris.
2. As of now, almost every country in the world has ratified the Paris Agreement, showing a global commitment to addressing climate change collectively.
3. The agreement requires countries to report on their progress towards their NDCs every five years, fostering transparency and accountability in climate action.
4. The Paris Agreement not only focuses on mitigation strategies but also emphasizes adaptation efforts to support vulnerable communities affected by climate change.
5. A major goal of the Paris Agreement is to enhance support for developing countries through financial assistance and technology transfer to build resilience against climate impacts.

Review Questions

• How does the Paris Agreement seek to balance between mitigating climate change and promoting environmental rights?
  • The Paris Agreement seeks to balance mitigation efforts with the promotion of environmental rights by recognizing that climate change disproportionately affects marginalized communities. By committing countries to limit global warming and enhancing adaptation measures, the agreement helps protect the rights of individuals impacted by environmental degradation. Additionally, it emphasizes the need for countries to consider human rights when developing their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), ensuring that vulnerable populations are supported in facing climate challenges.
• Discuss the significance of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) within the framework of the Paris Agreement and their impact on global climate governance.
  • Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are crucial within the Paris Agreement as they represent each country's commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to climate change. The NDCs provide a framework for accountability and facilitate international cooperation as countries share their progress during five-year review cycles. This process encourages nations to increase their ambitions over time and fosters a sense of collective responsibility in addressing a global crisis. The transparency mechanism built into NDC reporting enhances trust among nations and supports a more effective approach to global climate governance.
• Evaluate the potential long-term implications of the Paris Agreement on human rights and environmental justice movements worldwide.
  • The long-term implications of the Paris Agreement on human rights and environmental justice movements are profound as it establishes an international standard for addressing climate change while safeguarding human rights. By recognizing that climate action is intertwined with social equity, the agreement empowers grassroots movements advocating for environmental justice. It also encourages states to incorporate human rights considerations into their national policies, creating a legal framework that supports marginalized communities affected by environmental harm. Ultimately, this alignment between climate action and human rights can catalyze broader societal shifts towards sustainability, equity, and justice globally.

Related terms

Greenhouse Gases: Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere, contributing to the greenhouse effect and global warming, which the Paris Agreement aims to mitigate.

Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs): The climate action plans that each country submits under the Paris Agreement, outlining their intended efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change.

Adaptation: The process of adjusting to current or expected changes in climate, which is a key focus of the Paris Agreement to help communities cope with the impacts of climate change.