Paris Agreement

Definition

The Paris Agreement is a landmark international treaty adopted in 2015, aiming to combat climate change by limiting global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, with efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius. This agreement marked a significant shift in global climate policy, emphasizing the need for collective action by countries to address climate-related challenges and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Paris Agreement was adopted by nearly 200 countries during COP21 in Paris, France, signaling a unified commitment to tackle climate change.
2. Under the agreement, countries are required to submit their NDCs every five years, with a goal of increasing ambition over time to meet climate targets.
3. The agreement is legally binding but allows for flexibility in how countries meet their commitments, recognizing different national circumstances.
4. Developed nations are encouraged to provide financial support and resources to developing countries to assist them in their climate efforts and transition to sustainable practices.
5. The long-term goal of the Paris Agreement is to achieve net-zero global greenhouse gas emissions by mid-century, aiming for significant reductions starting now.

Review Questions

• How does the Paris Agreement facilitate international cooperation among nations to address climate change?
  • The Paris Agreement facilitates international cooperation by creating a framework for countries to collectively commit to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and setting shared goals for limiting global warming. Each country outlines its NDCs, which reflect its specific capabilities and circumstances. This collaboration helps build trust and accountability among nations, encouraging them to support one another in achieving climate objectives and sharing best practices.
• Discuss the significance of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) within the framework of the Paris Agreement.
  • NDCs are crucial because they represent each country's commitment to reducing emissions and adapting to climate change under the Paris Agreement. By allowing countries to set their own targets based on national circumstances, NDCs promote ownership and accountability. The requirement for countries to update their NDCs every five years ensures that commitments become increasingly ambitious, driving progress toward the overarching goals of limiting global warming and enhancing resilience against climate impacts.
• Evaluate the challenges and opportunities presented by the Paris Agreement in the context of global climate governance and its potential impact on future environmental policies.
  • The Paris Agreement presents both challenges and opportunities in global climate governance. One major challenge is ensuring compliance and ambition among diverse nations with varying levels of development and capacity. The flexibility inherent in NDCs can lead to insufficient action from some countries. However, it also provides an opportunity for innovation, as nations can tailor solutions that fit their unique contexts. As countries aim for net-zero emissions by mid-century, this agreement could drive transformative policies and encourage investments in renewable energy, technology transfer, and sustainable practices that collectively contribute to a healthier planet.

Related terms

Greenhouse Gases: Gases in the Earth's atmosphere that trap heat, contributing to the greenhouse effect and climate change; key examples include carbon dioxide (CO₂) and methane (CH₄).

Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs): Each country's individual commitments under the Paris Agreement to reduce national emissions and adapt to climate change, reflecting their unique circumstances and capabilities.

COP (Conference of the Parties): An annual conference where countries that are parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) gather to negotiate and assess progress on climate action, including the implementation of the Paris Agreement.