Paris Agreement

Definition

The Paris Agreement is an international treaty that was adopted in 2015 to address climate change and its impacts by limiting global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. It represents a collective effort by nations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance adaptive capacities, and promote sustainable development while considering equity among different countries.

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) held in Paris, France.
2. As of 2021, nearly every country in the world has ratified the agreement, making it one of the most widely supported international treaties.
3. Countries are required to submit their NDCs every five years, showing how they plan to reduce emissions and adapt to climate change.
4. The agreement emphasizes financial support for developing countries to help them transition to greener economies and adapt to climate impacts.
5. The Paris Agreement aims for global peaking of greenhouse gas emissions as soon as possible and recognizes the importance of reducing emissions to achieve sustainable development.

Review Questions

• How does the Paris Agreement encourage nations to take action against climate change?
  • The Paris Agreement encourages nations by requiring them to set and update their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), which are personalized commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This framework fosters accountability, as countries must demonstrate progress towards their targets every five years. The emphasis on collective action highlights the importance of collaboration among nations to tackle a global issue effectively.
• Discuss the role of developing countries in the Paris Agreement and how it addresses their unique challenges regarding climate change.
  • Developing countries play a crucial role in the Paris Agreement as they face distinct challenges related to climate change, including limited resources and higher vulnerability to its effects. The agreement recognizes this by providing mechanisms for financial support and technology transfer from developed countries, enabling developing nations to implement their NDCs effectively. This approach promotes equity and emphasizes that climate action must consider the varying capabilities of nations.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of the Paris Agreement in achieving its goals related to climate change mitigation and adaptation.
  • Evaluating the effectiveness of the Paris Agreement involves analyzing its impact on global emissions trends and national commitments. While it has successfully mobilized international attention towards climate change and fostered collaboration, challenges remain, such as ensuring that countries meet their NDC targets and addressing gaps in funding for adaptation efforts. As climate-related disasters become more frequent, assessing progress against the agreement's long-term goals will be essential in determining its overall success in mitigating climate change.

Related terms

Climate Change: A long-term alteration of temperature and typical weather patterns in a place, significantly driven by human activities that increase greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere.

Greenhouse Gases: Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere, such as carbon dioxide and methane, which are critical to understanding global warming and climate change.

Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs): The commitments made by each country under the Paris Agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and outline their climate action plans.