Paris Agreement

Definition

The Paris Agreement is an international treaty aimed at addressing climate change and its impacts 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. It represents a collective commitment from countries around the world to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote sustainability.

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 ratify the agreement commit to submit and update their NDCs every five years to reflect their highest level of ambition in reducing emissions.
3. The agreement emphasizes the importance of financial support for developing nations to help them transition to low-emission economies and adapt to climate change.
4. The global goal of limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius is based on scientific research indicating that this threshold would significantly reduce risks and impacts related to climate change.
5. As of October 2023, nearly every country in the world has joined the Paris Agreement, demonstrating a global consensus on the need for collective action against climate change.

Review Questions

• How do Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) play a role in the effectiveness of the Paris Agreement?
  • NDCs are crucial for the Paris Agreement as they represent each country's commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions based on their national circumstances. By setting specific targets, countries can measure progress and enhance accountability within the framework of the agreement. The five-year cycle for updating NDCs encourages nations to continually assess and increase their ambitions, thereby strengthening global efforts against climate change.
• What mechanisms are established in the Paris Agreement to support developing countries in their climate actions?
  • The Paris Agreement includes provisions for financial assistance and technology transfer to developing countries, enabling them to undertake meaningful actions against climate change. This support is essential because many developing nations lack the resources to effectively address climate impacts while transitioning to sustainable practices. The agreement also emphasizes capacity building and cooperation among countries, ensuring that all parties can participate actively in global efforts.
• Evaluate the significance of the Paris Agreement's temperature goals in relation to current global trends in greenhouse gas emissions.
  • The temperature goals set by the Paris Agreement are significant as they reflect a scientific consensus on limits needed to prevent catastrophic climate impacts. However, current trends indicate that global greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise, posing challenges for achieving these goals. An evaluation shows that while countries are making progress with their NDCs, ambitious actions must be enhanced substantially across all sectors. Achieving these targets is critical not only for environmental stability but also for ensuring social and economic resilience in a changing climate.

Related terms

Greenhouse Gases: Gases in Earth's atmosphere that trap heat, contributing to the greenhouse effect and climate change.

Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs): Each country's self-defined climate action plans and commitments under the Paris Agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Climate Adaptation: Actions taken to adjust to actual or expected climate changes and their effects, enhancing resilience to climate impacts.