Paris Agreement

Definition

The Paris Agreement is a legally binding international treaty focused on climate change, adopted in 2015 by nearly every nation in the world. Its main goal is to limit 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 connects to product carbon footprints as it encourages countries and industries to track and reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with their products and operations.

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) in Paris, France.
2. Countries that are parties to the agreement must submit their NDCs every five years, reflecting their ambitions for reducing emissions.
3. The agreement emphasizes the importance of financial support from developed nations to assist developing countries in their climate actions.
4. It recognizes the significance of non-state actors, such as businesses and local governments, in achieving its climate goals.
5. As of 2021, over 190 countries have ratified the agreement, demonstrating a global consensus on the urgency of addressing climate change.

Review Questions

• How does the Paris Agreement influence industries in terms of managing their product carbon footprints?
  • The Paris Agreement drives industries to assess and manage their product carbon footprints by encouraging them to implement sustainable practices aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Companies are motivated to set targets aligned with national commitments under the agreement, leading to innovations in production processes, material sourcing, and waste management. This not only helps meet regulatory requirements but also enhances corporate social responsibility and can improve market competitiveness.
• In what ways do Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) reflect a country's commitment under the Paris Agreement?
  • Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are a crucial component of the Paris Agreement as they outline each country's specific plans and targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. These contributions demonstrate a nation's commitment to combating climate change and showcase its approach to achieving global warming limits set by the agreement. NDCs are intended to be ambitious and reflect an increase in efforts over time, providing transparency and accountability in international climate action.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of the Paris Agreement in fostering international cooperation on climate change mitigation.
  • The effectiveness of the Paris Agreement can be evaluated through its role in fostering international cooperation among nations to address climate change collectively. By creating a framework that requires countries to set and communicate their emissions targets, it encourages collaboration on technology sharing, capacity building, and financial support. Despite challenges such as varying levels of commitment and enforcement mechanisms, the agreement has established a foundation for ongoing dialogue and progress, leading to increased ambition in climate action across multiple sectors worldwide.

Related terms

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

Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs): Each country's self-defined plan for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to climate change, which forms the basis of their commitment under the Paris Agreement.

Carbon Neutrality: Achieving a balance between emitting carbon and absorbing carbon from the atmosphere, aiming for net-zero carbon emissions.