Paris Agreement

Definition

The Paris Agreement is an international treaty adopted in 2015 aimed at addressing climate change and its impacts by limiting global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. It fosters cooperation among nations to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and promote sustainable development, linking closely to adaptation strategies, conservation policies, and broader environmental goals.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Paris Agreement was adopted by 196 parties at COP21 in Paris and came into force on November 4, 2016.
2. One of its key features is the requirement for countries to submit their NDCs every five years, enhancing accountability and progress tracking.
3. Developed nations are expected to provide $100 billion annually by 2020 to support developing countries in their climate actions as part of climate finance commitments.
4. The agreement emphasizes the importance of adaptation strategies, encouraging countries to strengthen resilience against climate impacts.
5. The long-term goal of the Paris Agreement includes efforts to limit temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius, significantly impacting global conservation strategies.

Review Questions

• How does the Paris Agreement promote vulnerability assessment and adaptation strategies among participating countries?
  • The Paris Agreement encourages countries to integrate vulnerability assessments into their climate action plans, emphasizing the need for tailored adaptation strategies. By requiring nations to assess their specific climate risks and vulnerabilities, the agreement supports targeted actions that can mitigate adverse effects on ecosystems and communities. This process fosters collaboration and knowledge sharing, enabling countries to develop adaptive measures that are resilient and effective in the face of climate change.
• Discuss the implications of the Paris Agreement on national and local conservation policies across different countries.
  • The Paris Agreement compels countries to align their national and local conservation policies with their commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This alignment often leads to enhanced protections for biodiversity and ecosystems, as nations strive to meet their NDCs. For instance, policies promoting renewable energy, reforestation, and sustainable land management can emerge from the need to address climate change while ensuring that conservation objectives are met, ultimately fostering a synergistic relationship between climate action and environmental protection.
• Evaluate how the Paris Agreement relates to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and its potential impact on global conservation efforts.
  • The Paris Agreement is closely linked to several Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 13 on climate action. By promoting strategies that limit global warming, it supports broader sustainability objectives like ending poverty (Goal 1) and protecting life on land (Goal 15). The agreement's emphasis on collaborative approaches encourages integrated solutions that enhance both climate resilience and biodiversity conservation. As nations implement their commitments under the agreement, they have the potential to drive significant advancements in global conservation efforts while addressing pressing social and environmental challenges.

Related terms

Greenhouse Gases: Gases in Earth's atmosphere that trap heat, contributing to the greenhouse effect; major types include carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide.

Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs): The commitments made by countries under the Paris Agreement that outline their plans to reduce national emissions and adapt to climate change.

Climate Finance: Financial resources allocated to support climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts in developing countries, crucial for achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement.