Paris Agreement

Definition

The Paris Agreement is a legally binding international treaty on climate change, adopted in 2015 during the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) conference in Paris. It aims to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius, with efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. This agreement reflects a collective commitment from nations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance adaptive capacities, resonating with environmental issues and the global response to climate challenges.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Paris Agreement was adopted by 196 countries and became effective on November 4, 2016, signaling a historic global effort to combat climate change.
2. Countries that ratified the agreement are required to submit NDCs every five years, outlining their goals for reducing emissions and enhancing resilience against climate impacts.
3. The agreement emphasizes a balance between mitigation and adaptation strategies, recognizing that both are necessary to address climate change effectively.
4. Financial assistance is also a critical component of the Paris Agreement, with developed countries pledging to support developing nations in their climate actions.
5. As of October 2021, more than 190 parties have ratified the agreement, demonstrating widespread global recognition of the urgency of addressing climate change.

Review Questions

• How does the Paris Agreement aim to balance the needs of developed and developing countries in addressing climate change?
  • The Paris Agreement includes provisions that emphasize support from developed countries to developing nations, recognizing their limited resources and greater vulnerability to climate impacts. This support includes financial assistance and technology transfer to help these countries implement their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). By fostering collaboration, the agreement aims to create a more equitable approach to combating climate change, ensuring that all countries can contribute effectively despite differing capabilities.
• Discuss the implications of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) for individual countries' strategies towards meeting the goals of the Paris Agreement.
  • Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) serve as each country's blueprint for reducing emissions and adapting to climate change impacts. The submission of NDCs every five years requires countries to assess their progress and adjust their commitments accordingly. This accountability mechanism encourages nations to take more ambitious actions over time, fostering a competitive spirit among countries while highlighting their responsibilities towards global climate goals outlined in the Paris Agreement.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of the Paris Agreement in achieving its goals by analyzing key challenges it faces moving forward.
  • While the Paris Agreement has successfully united nations under a common goal of limiting global warming, several challenges threaten its effectiveness. Key issues include ensuring compliance with NDC commitments, addressing discrepancies in financial support for developing nations, and overcoming political resistance from some countries. Furthermore, ongoing debates about the adequacy of current commitments highlight the need for stronger accountability measures and increased ambition if the world is to meet its temperature goals effectively.

Related terms

Climate Change: A long-term alteration in temperature and typical weather patterns in a place, often attributed to human activities such as burning fossil fuels.

Greenhouse Gases: Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere, including carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O), contributing to global warming.

Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs): Each country's plan to reduce national emissions and adapt to climate change, which they submit as part of the Paris Agreement.