The Paris Agreement is a global climate agreement that aims to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius, adopted by 196 parties at COP 21 in Paris on 12 December 2015 and entered into force on 4 November 2016, representing a significant step forward in global efforts to address climate change, promoting climate action by setting clear goals, requiring nationally determined contributions, establishing transparency and accountability mechanisms, providing financial and technical support to developing countries, and facilitating global cooperation through the global stocktake and other means.
Introduction
The Paris Agreement is a global climate agreement that aims to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius. It was adopted by 196 parties at COP 21 in Paris on 12 December 2015 and entered into force on 4 November 2016. The Agreement represents a significant step forward in global efforts to address climate change.
How does the Paris Agreement promote climate action?
1. Setting clear goals
The Paris Agreement sets clear and ambitious goals for countries to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change. These goals include:
- Limiting global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and pursuing efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
- Increasing adaptation capacity to the adverse impacts of climate change and foster climate resilience and low greenhouse gas emissions development, in a manner that does not threaten food production.
- Balancing anthropogenic emissions by sources and removals by sinks of greenhouse gases in the second half of the century.
2. National Determined Contributions (NDCs)
Under the Paris Agreement, each country is required to put forward its best effort through 'nationally determined contributions' (NDCs) towards reducing its greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to climate change. These NDCs are subject to a five-year cycle of review and updating, which ensures that countries continuously increase their ambition over time.
3. Enhanced transparency and accountability
The Paris Agreement establishes a robust transparency framework that requires countries to report regularly on their greenhouse gas emissions and implementation efforts, as well as their adaptation actions. This transparency helps to build trust among countries and ensures that they are held accountable for meeting their commitments under the Agreement.
4. Financial and technical support for developing countries
The Paris Agreement recognizes the need for developed countries to provide financial and technical support to developing countries to help them address climate change. This support is crucial for enabling developing countries to implement their NDCs and build resilience against the impacts of climate change.
5. Global stocktake and facilitation of climate action
The Paris Agreement includes a mechanism called the 'global stocktake', which is a regular assessment of the collective progress made by countries towards achieving the goals of the Agreement. This process helps to identify areas where additional efforts may be needed and provides an opportunity for countries to share best practices and learn from each other's experiences. Additionally, the Agreement establishes a framework for facilitating climate action through various means, including technology transfer, capacity-building, and knowledge sharing.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Paris Agreement promotes climate action by setting clear goals, requiring nationally determined contributions, establishing transparency and accountability mechanisms, providing financial and technical support to developing countries, and facilitating global cooperation through the global stocktake and other means. By working together under this agreement, countries can make significant progress towards mitigating climate change and adapting to its impacts.