Paris Agreement

Definition

The Paris Agreement is an international treaty aimed at addressing climate change and its impacts, adopted in 2015 during the UN Climate Change Conference in Paris. It brings countries together to commit to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, enhancing adaptive capacities, and fostering sustainable development, marking a significant shift in the historical relationship between business, society, and environmental stewardship.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Paris Agreement aims to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, with a goal of pursuing efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
2. Nearly every country in the world has ratified the Paris Agreement, signaling a broad commitment to international cooperation on climate issues.
3. Countries are required to submit nationally determined contributions (NDCs) that outline their plans for reducing emissions and adapting to climate impacts.
4. The agreement emphasizes the importance of financial support for developing countries to help them transition to sustainable practices and address climate vulnerabilities.
5. The Paris Agreement represents a shift toward a more collaborative approach between businesses, governments, and civil society in addressing environmental concerns.

Review Questions

• How does the Paris Agreement illustrate the evolution of business-society interactions regarding climate change?
  • The Paris Agreement illustrates a significant evolution in business-society interactions as it highlights how both sectors must collaborate to tackle climate change effectively. By bringing together governments and businesses under a common framework for emission reduction, it demonstrates an understanding that sustainable practices are not just regulatory obligations but also essential for long-term business viability. This partnership fosters innovation in sustainable technologies and encourages businesses to align their strategies with global climate goals.
• Discuss the role of businesses in achieving the objectives outlined in the Paris Agreement.
  • Businesses play a crucial role in achieving the objectives of the Paris Agreement by actively working towards reducing their greenhouse gas emissions and adopting sustainable practices. Through innovation and investment in clean technologies, companies can help meet national commitments and enhance their competitive advantage. Moreover, businesses can influence supply chains and consumer behavior by prioritizing sustainability, thereby amplifying their impact on global efforts to combat climate change.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of the Paris Agreement in promoting sustainable development goals at both national and global levels.
  • The effectiveness of the Paris Agreement in promoting sustainable development goals can be evaluated through its ability to engage countries and businesses in collective action against climate change. By establishing a framework for accountability through national determined contributions (NDCs), it encourages nations to align their policies with sustainable practices. However, challenges remain in ensuring that all countries commit fully and equitably, especially developing nations. The ongoing evaluation of progress towards these goals will determine whether the agreement leads to meaningful reductions in emissions and supports broader sustainable development initiatives globally.

Related terms

Climate Change Mitigation: Efforts made to reduce or prevent the emission of greenhouse gases to slow down global warming.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere, contributing to the greenhouse effect; major contributors include carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): A set of 17 global goals established by the United Nations in 2015 to address various global challenges, including poverty, inequality, and climate change.