Paris Agreement

Definition

The Paris Agreement is an international treaty adopted in 2015 aimed at addressing 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 represents a collective commitment from countries around the world to enhance their climate actions, making it a significant step in global governance and social contracts related to environmental sustainability.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Paris Agreement entered into force on November 4, 2016, after at least 55 countries representing at least 55% of global emissions ratified it.
2. Under the agreement, countries are required to report on their greenhouse gas emissions and progress toward their NDCs every five years.
3. The agreement encourages financial and technological support for developing countries to help them transition to low-emission economies and adapt to climate impacts.
4. The long-term goal of the Paris Agreement is to achieve a balance between greenhouse gas emissions and removals in the second half of the century, paving the way for net-zero emissions.
5. One of the unique aspects of the Paris Agreement is its bottom-up approach, allowing countries to set their own targets rather than imposing top-down requirements.

Review Questions

• How does the Paris Agreement incorporate global governance principles in addressing climate change?
  • The Paris Agreement embodies global governance principles by promoting collective action among nations to combat climate change. It facilitates collaboration through transparent communication of countries' commitments and progress via NDCs. This approach not only fosters accountability but also encourages nations to support each other through financial and technological means, which is essential for tackling an issue as vast and complex as climate change.
• Discuss how the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement impact global efforts toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
  • NDCs play a crucial role in shaping global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions because they allow each country to tailor its climate targets based on its specific circumstances, capacities, and priorities. This flexibility promotes broader participation since countries are more likely to commit to targets they believe are achievable. The periodic review of NDCs encourages nations to enhance their ambitions over time, creating a dynamic mechanism for increasing global mitigation efforts while considering national contexts.
• Evaluate the long-term implications of the Paris Agreement for future political philosophy regarding environmental policies.
  • The Paris Agreement has significant implications for future political philosophy by establishing a framework that prioritizes sustainability, equity, and cooperation among nations. It challenges traditional notions of state sovereignty by emphasizing shared responsibilities in combating a global crisis. Additionally, as governments increasingly recognize the necessity of collective action, there may be a shift toward more integrative policies that consider environmental justice and intergenerational equity, ultimately reshaping how political theories address governance and responsibility in a rapidly changing world.

Related terms

COP (Conference of the Parties): The COP is the supreme decision-making body of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), where parties meet annually to assess progress and make decisions regarding climate agreements.

NDCs (Nationally Determined Contributions): NDCs are the individual pledges made by each country under the Paris Agreement outlining their targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to climate change impacts.

Climate Justice: Climate justice refers to the ethical and political considerations that arise from climate change, emphasizing the disproportionate impact on vulnerable populations and the need for equitable solutions.