Paris Agreement

Definition

The Paris Agreement is a landmark international treaty adopted in 2015 that aims to combat climate change and limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius, with an aspirational target of 1.5 degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial levels. This agreement establishes a framework for countries to set their own climate goals, known as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), and requires them to report on their progress periodically.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Paris Agreement was adopted on December 12, 2015, during COP21 held in Paris, France, and has been signed by nearly every country in the world.
2. One of the key features of the Paris Agreement is its emphasis on voluntary commitments from countries rather than legally binding targets, allowing nations to tailor their actions based on their circumstances.
3. The agreement includes a mechanism for countries to periodically review and enhance their NDCs every five years, promoting ambition over time.
4. The Paris Agreement also recognizes the importance of financial support for developing countries to help them mitigate and adapt to climate change impacts.
5. As of 2021, significant global efforts have been made to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement, but many scientists warn that current pledges are still insufficient to keep global temperatures from rising above 2 degrees Celsius.

Review Questions

• How does the Paris Agreement encourage countries to take action against climate change?
  • The Paris Agreement encourages countries to take action against climate change by allowing them to set their own Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) tailored to their national contexts. This flexibility enables nations to commit to realistic goals while being held accountable for progress through regular reporting. By promoting transparency and encouraging ambition over time, the agreement fosters a collective effort among countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance resilience against climate impacts.
• Discuss the role of financial support in the Paris Agreement for developing nations addressing climate change.
  • Financial support is a crucial element of the Paris Agreement, aimed at helping developing nations tackle climate change challenges. The agreement acknowledges that these countries often lack the resources needed for effective mitigation and adaptation strategies. As such, developed countries are encouraged to provide financial assistance and technology transfer to facilitate climate action in developing regions. This support is vital for empowering these nations to meet their NDCs and build resilience against the adverse effects of climate change.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of the Paris Agreement in achieving its goal of limiting global warming, considering both successes and challenges.
  • Evaluating the effectiveness of the Paris Agreement involves examining both its achievements and ongoing challenges. On one hand, it has successfully united nearly all nations in a common cause against climate change and established a framework for transparent reporting and increased ambition over time. However, many scientists argue that current NDCs remain insufficient for achieving the ambitious target of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Challenges such as political will, economic factors, and differing priorities among nations complicate efforts to meet these goals. As a result, while the Paris Agreement has laid essential groundwork for global climate action, significant obstacles still hinder its overall effectiveness.

Related terms

Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs): These are the climate action plans submitted by each country under the Paris Agreement, outlining their targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to climate impacts.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere, contributing to global warming; key examples include carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O).

COP (Conference of the Parties): An annual conference where parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change meet to negotiate and assess progress in addressing climate change, including the implementation of the Paris Agreement.