Paris Agreement

Definition

The Paris Agreement is a landmark international treaty established in 2015 to combat climate change and its negative impacts. It 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. The agreement relies on voluntary commitments from countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance adaptive capacity.

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 are party to the agreement, highlighting its global significance and acceptance.
3. Countries are required to submit their NDCs every five years, reflecting their commitment to reduce emissions and address climate change.
4. The agreement emphasizes the importance of financial and technical support for developing nations to help them mitigate and adapt to climate impacts.
5. A key feature of the Paris Agreement is its reliance on transparency and accountability mechanisms to track progress and encourage cooperation among nations.

Review Questions

• How does the Paris Agreement use voluntary commitments from countries to foster international cooperation on climate change?
  • The Paris Agreement utilizes voluntary commitments through Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), where countries outline their plans for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This approach encourages nations to take ownership of their contributions while allowing flexibility in how they meet their targets. By requiring updates every five years, the agreement promotes a cycle of accountability and enhances cooperation, as countries can learn from one another's experiences and challenges in mitigating climate change.
• Discuss the role of transparency and accountability in the Paris Agreement and its impact on achieving climate goals.
  • Transparency and accountability are critical components of the Paris Agreement that ensure countries adhere to their commitments. By establishing a framework for reporting progress on emissions reductions and climate actions, the agreement holds nations accountable for their pledges. This not only builds trust among countries but also fosters a collaborative environment where nations can share strategies and technologies, ultimately enhancing global efforts toward achieving climate goals.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of the Paris Agreement in addressing global climate change challenges, considering both successes and limitations.
  • The effectiveness of the Paris Agreement can be evaluated through its wide adoption by countries and its establishment of a collective goal to limit global warming. However, challenges remain in meeting ambitious targets due to differing national interests, economic constraints, and varying levels of commitment among countries. While it has succeeded in raising awareness and fostering dialogue around climate action, critics point out that current NDCs may not be sufficient to meet the desired temperature goals, indicating a need for stronger enforcement mechanisms and greater ambition moving forward.

Related terms

Climate Change: A long-term alteration of temperature and typical weather patterns in a place, primarily driven by human activities such as burning fossil fuels.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere, including carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, which contribute to global warming.

NDCs (Nationally Determined Contributions): Each country's plan to reduce national emissions and adapt to climate change under the framework of the Paris Agreement.