Paris Agreement

Definition

The Paris Agreement is a legally binding international treaty on climate change that was adopted in 2015 during the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) conference in Paris. Its main goal is to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius, aiming to mitigate the impacts of climate change on ecosystems and human societies.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Paris Agreement was signed by nearly every country in the world, showcasing a global commitment to addressing climate change collaboratively.
2. Countries are required to submit updated NDCs every five years, reflecting their increased ambition to combat climate change over time.
3. The agreement emphasizes the importance of financial support for developing countries to help them transition to low-emission and climate-resilient economies.
4. A key feature of the Paris Agreement is its 'bottom-up' approach, allowing countries to set their own targets and strategies for reducing emissions based on their national circumstances.
5. The Agreement also recognizes the need for adaptation efforts to address the impacts of climate change already being felt, ensuring that vulnerable communities receive support.

Review Questions

• How does the Paris Agreement aim to engage countries in the fight against climate change?
  • The Paris Agreement encourages countries to take ownership of their climate goals by adopting a 'bottom-up' approach where each nation sets its own Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). This structure promotes transparency and accountability, as countries must report on their progress and update their targets every five years. By allowing nations to tailor their commitments based on unique circumstances, the agreement fosters greater participation and ambition in global climate action.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of the Paris Agreement in achieving its goals of limiting global warming and supporting adaptation efforts.
  • While the Paris Agreement has succeeded in uniting nearly all countries under a common framework for addressing climate change, its effectiveness depends on the ambitiousness of each country's NDCs and their actual implementation. Many experts argue that current commitments are insufficient to meet the target of limiting temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius. The effectiveness also relies on substantial financial assistance for developing nations, along with international cooperation and innovation in clean technologies to ensure that all nations can adapt and mitigate climate change impacts.
• Assess the long-term implications of the Paris Agreement for media businesses in terms of sustainability reporting and environmental responsibility.
  • The Paris Agreement's emphasis on climate action will significantly impact media businesses as they face increasing pressure to engage in sustainability reporting and demonstrate environmental responsibility. As audiences become more aware of climate issues, media companies must adapt by integrating sustainability into their operations and content. This shift could lead to new business opportunities focused on green technologies and practices, while also influencing public discourse on climate change through responsible storytelling. Media entities that proactively address these challenges will likely enhance their reputation and relevance in an increasingly eco-conscious marketplace.

Related terms

Climate Change: A long-term alteration of temperature and typical weather patterns in a place, primarily driven by human activities such as burning fossil fuels.

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

Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs): Climate action plans submitted by countries under the Paris Agreement, outlining their targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to climate change.