Paris Agreement

Definition

The Paris Agreement is a legally binding international treaty on climate change, adopted in 2015, with the goal of limiting global warming to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, and pursuing efforts to limit it to 1.5°C. It serves as a framework for global efforts to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Paris Agreement was adopted by 196 countries, making it the first universal, legally binding global climate agreement.
2. The agreement requires countries to submit and regularly update their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) outlining their domestic climate action plans.
3. The agreement establishes a global goal to strengthen the ability to adapt to the impacts of climate change and foster climate resilience.
4. It also includes provisions for financial, technological, and capacity-building support to assist developing countries in their climate action efforts.
5. The agreement emphasizes the importance of international cooperation and transparency in monitoring and reporting progress towards its goals.

Review Questions

• Explain the key objectives of the Paris Agreement and how they aim to address international environmental issues.
  • The Paris Agreement has two primary objectives: 1) To limit global temperature increase to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, and pursue efforts to limit it to 1.5°C, and 2) To strengthen the ability of countries to adapt to the impacts of climate change. These objectives are crucial in addressing international environmental issues, as climate change poses a global threat to ecosystems, biodiversity, and human well-being. By setting ambitious temperature targets and requiring countries to submit and update their climate action plans (NDCs), the agreement aims to drive coordinated global efforts to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and build climate resilience.
• Describe the role of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) in the Paris Agreement and their significance in addressing international environmental issues.
  • Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are at the heart of the Paris Agreement. They represent each country's domestic climate action plan, outlining their emissions reduction targets and strategies to adapt to climate change. NDCs are crucial in addressing international environmental issues because they provide a framework for countries to take concrete actions to reduce their carbon footprints and build resilience to climate impacts, which have global consequences. The agreement requires countries to submit and regularly update their NDCs, fostering a cycle of increased ambition and accountability in tackling climate change through collective, nationally-driven efforts.
• Evaluate the potential impact of the Paris Agreement's provisions for financial, technological, and capacity-building support on addressing international environmental issues.
  • The Paris Agreement recognizes the importance of providing financial, technological, and capacity-building support to developing countries in order to effectively address international environmental issues. By mobilizing resources and facilitating the transfer of clean technologies, the agreement aims to empower countries to mitigate their greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change. This support is crucial, as developing countries often lack the financial and technical resources to implement robust climate action plans on their own. The agreement's provisions for this support can help bridge the gap between developed and developing nations, fostering a more equitable and collaborative approach to tackling global environmental challenges. Ultimately, the success of the Paris Agreement in addressing international environmental issues will depend on the effective implementation and scaling up of this support mechanism.

Related terms

Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs): Climate action plans submitted by countries that outline their domestic climate actions and targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change.

Carbon Pricing: A policy mechanism that puts a price on carbon emissions, either through a carbon tax or a cap-and-trade system, to incentivize emissions reductions and promote low-carbon technologies.

Climate Adaptation: Adjustments in natural or human systems in response to actual or expected climate change, aimed at moderating harm or exploiting beneficial opportunities.