Paris Agreement

Definition

The Paris Agreement is an international treaty aimed at addressing climate change and its impacts, adopted in 2015 during the COP21 conference in Paris. The agreement's main goal is to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, with an aim to restrict the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius. It encourages countries to set their own nationally determined contributions (NDCs) for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, fostering a collective effort to combat climate change.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Paris Agreement was adopted on December 12, 2015, and entered into force on November 4, 2016, after being ratified by enough countries.
2. As of now, nearly all countries in the world have signed the agreement, highlighting its global significance in tackling climate change.
3. The agreement includes a mechanism for countries to review and enhance their NDCs every five years, promoting increasing ambition over time.
4. Financial support for developing countries is a key component of the Paris Agreement, ensuring they have resources for climate mitigation and adaptation efforts.
5. The agreement emphasizes the importance of transparency and accountability in tracking progress toward meeting emissions reduction targets.

Review Questions

• How does the Paris Agreement promote international cooperation among countries in combating climate change?
  • The Paris Agreement promotes international cooperation by establishing a framework where countries can collaboratively work towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Each country sets its own Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), which allows for flexibility in meeting climate goals while still contributing to the collective effort. This collaborative approach fosters shared responsibility and encourages nations to support one another through technology transfer and financial assistance, particularly for developing countries facing greater challenges.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of the Paris Agreement's mechanisms for ensuring countries meet their emissions reduction targets.
  • The effectiveness of the Paris Agreement's mechanisms lies in its structure of regular reviews and updates of NDCs every five years, which encourages countries to increase their commitments over time. However, critics argue that without binding enforcement mechanisms, compliance relies heavily on national political will. Transparency measures help track progress, but gaps remain as some nations struggle to meet their targets. Thus, while the framework encourages ambition, its success ultimately depends on sustained global cooperation and accountability.
• Synthesize how the Paris Agreement addresses both mitigation and adaptation strategies in response to climate change and assess its potential impact on global development.
  • The Paris Agreement addresses mitigation by urging nations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through their NDCs while promoting adaptation by providing support for vulnerable countries facing climate impacts. This dual focus aims not only to curb global warming but also to enhance resilience against climate-related risks. By integrating these strategies, the agreement has the potential to drive sustainable development globally, as nations are encouraged to pursue low-carbon economic growth that also considers social equity and environmental sustainability. This holistic approach may lead to innovative solutions that benefit both people and the planet.

Related terms

Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Gases released into the atmosphere that trap heat, contributing to global warming and climate change, including carbon dioxide and methane.

Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs): Individual pledges made by each country under the Paris Agreement that outline their plans for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to climate impacts.

COP (Conference of the Parties): The supreme decision-making body of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) where countries meet to negotiate and implement agreements on climate action.