Paris Agreement

Definition

The Paris Agreement is a legally binding international treaty adopted in 2015 that aims to combat climate change by limiting global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, while pursuing efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius. This agreement brings together countries to enhance their climate action, which has significant implications for global climate systems, ocean acidification, blue carbon ecosystems, and various international coastal agreements.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Paris Agreement was adopted on December 12, 2015, during the 21st Conference of the Parties (COP21) in Paris, France.
2. As of now, nearly all countries in the world have ratified the agreement, making it one of the most widely supported international treaties.
3. The agreement encourages nations to submit updated NDCs every five years, reflecting their highest level of ambition in reducing emissions.
4. A key feature of the Paris Agreement is its emphasis on transparency and accountability, requiring countries to report regularly on their progress toward their climate goals.
5. The Paris Agreement also acknowledges the importance of protecting vulnerable ecosystems, such as blue carbon ecosystems, which play a vital role in carbon sequestration and biodiversity.

Review Questions

• How does the Paris Agreement influence national policies regarding climate action?
  • The Paris Agreement significantly influences national policies by requiring countries to develop and submit their own Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This framework encourages nations to assess their current emissions and establish specific targets, promoting accountability and commitment towards achieving a global reduction in temperature rise. By setting an overarching goal of limiting global warming, the agreement pushes countries to integrate climate action into their economic planning and development strategies.
• Discuss how ocean acidification is addressed within the framework of the Paris Agreement and its implications for marine ecosystems.
  • Ocean acidification is a direct consequence of increased carbon dioxide emissions, which are a primary focus of the Paris Agreement. By aiming to limit global temperature rise, the agreement indirectly seeks to mitigate further acidification of oceans that can harm marine ecosystems. As nations commit to reducing emissions through their NDCs, they contribute to stabilizing ocean chemistry, which is critical for maintaining biodiversity and supporting blue carbon ecosystems that help sequester carbon.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of the Paris Agreement in promoting international cooperation for coastal resilience and adaptation strategies.
  • The effectiveness of the Paris Agreement in promoting international cooperation can be evaluated through its mechanism for fostering collaborative efforts among countries facing similar challenges related to climate change. By encouraging knowledge sharing, technology transfer, and financial support for adaptation strategies, the agreement facilitates joint initiatives aimed at enhancing coastal resilience. The focus on blue carbon ecosystems highlights the importance of preserving these natural buffers against climate impacts. However, actual implementation varies widely among nations, raising questions about equitable progress towards shared goals.

Related terms

Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs): NDCs are the commitments made by each country under the Paris Agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change impacts.

Climate Finance: Climate finance refers to financial resources allocated to support the mitigation and adaptation efforts of countries affected by climate change, crucial for achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement.

Global Warming Potential (GWP): GWP is a measure used to compare the warming impacts of different greenhouse gases, informing how countries set their emissions reduction targets under the Paris Agreement.