The Paris Agreement is a landmark international accord that was adopted by nearly every nation in 2015 to address climate change and its negative impacts. Prior to the Paris Agreement, the most notable international treaty on climate change was the Kyoto Protocol, which set legally binding emission reduction targets for developed countries. In line, the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen (2009) aimed to create a successor to the Kyoto Protocol but resulted in a non-binding agreement that was considered a failure by many because it lacked legal force and clear objectives. In the circumstances, the Paris Agreement 2015 was negotiated and adopted on December 12, 2015, to keep this century’s global temperature rise well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase even further to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
In this conference each country was determined, to plan, and regulate report on the contribution it undertakes to mitigate global warming, known as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). Under it, it was also provided that on every five years, a "global stocktake" will assess the collective progress towards achieving the purpose of the Agreement and to inform further individual actions by Parties. As per law, the Agreement needed at least 55 countries representing at least 55% of global emissions to ratify it in order to enter into force. This threshold was achieved on October 5, 2016, and the Agreement officially entered into force on November 4, 2016.
In addition, the key issues include financial support for climate action in developing countries, rules for measuring and reporting emissions, and increasing ambition over time, however, for a while, its prospect was marred when the United States, originally a signatory, announced its intention to withdraw from the Agreement in 2017 under President Donald Trump, but officially re-joined under President Joe Biden in 2021. The Paris Agreement represents a significant step forward in the global fight against climate change, establishing a framework for international cooperation, but its success depends on the continued commitment and increased ambition of its signatory countries.
Aims and objects
The Paris Agreement, adopted in December 2015 during the COP 21 UN climate change conference in Paris, has several core objectives aimed at combating climate change and adapting to its effect: a. Limit Global Temperature Rise: The primary aim is to keep the global average temperature increase in this century well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase even further to 1.5 degrees Celsius. This goal is intended to significantly reduce the risks and impacts of climate change.
Increase Ability to Adapt to Climate Change
The Agreement seeks to increase the ability of countries to deal with the impacts of climate change, and to foster climate resilience and low greenhouse gas emissions development, in a manner that does not threaten food production. This includes providing continued and enhanced international support for adaptation to developing countries. c. Make Finance Flows Consistent with Low GHG Emissions and Climate-Resilient Development: The Agreement aims to make finance flows consistent with a pathway towards low greenhouse gas emissions and climate-resilient development. Developed countries are to provide financial resources to assist developing countries with both mitigation and adaptation in continuation of their existing obligations under the UNFCCC.
Key Mechanisms: Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)
Each Party to the Agreement must prepare, communicate, and maintain successive nationally determined contributions that it intends to achieve. Parties will pursue domestic mitigation measures with the aim of achieving the objectives of such contributions. Global Stocktake: Every five years, a global stocktake will be conducted to assess the collective progress towards achieving the purpose of the Agreement and its long-term goals. This process will inform Parties in updating and enhancing their actions and support, as well as in enhancing international cooperation for climate action. e. Long-term Goals: Peaking of Greenhouse Gas Emissions: The Agreement aims for a peaking of global greenhouse gas emissions as soon as possible, recognizing that this will take longer for developing countries. Net Zero Emissions: Parties aim to achieve a balance between anthropogenic emissions by sources and removals by sinks of greenhouse gases in the second half of this century, on the basis of equity, and in the context of sustainable development and efforts to eradicate poverty.
Achievements and prospect
The Paris Agreement, since its adoption in 2015, has marked a significant step in the global response to climate change: a. Achievements Global Participation: One of the key achievements of the Paris Agreement is its near-universal membership, with 197 countries having signed the agreement and 190 countries having ratified it as of now, showcasing global commitment to tackling climate change. Increased Climate Ambition: The Agreement has encouraged countries to set more ambitious national climate goals over time. The Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are central to this, requiring countries to progress and set higher targets every five years. Mobilization of Finance: The Paris Agreement has played a role in mobilizing finance for climate action. Developed countries have committed to mobilizing $100 billion annually by 2020 to support climate action in developing countries, a goal which is being worked towards and expected to continue beyond 2020.
Enhanced Transparency and Reporting
The Agreement established a robust transparency framework to build mutual trust and confidence and to promote effective implementation, requiring countries to report on their emissions and efforts regularly. b. Future Challenges and Opportunities Raising Ambition: Turning NDCs and other commitments into action remains a significant challenge. Effective implementation requires domestic policy changes, mobilization of finance, and technological innovation. Climate Finance: The promised $100 billion per year in climate finance from developed to developing countries needs to be fully realized and scaled up. Ensuring access to finance and technology transfer for vulnerable countries is crucial. Adaptation and Loss & Damage: Strengthening efforts in adaptation and addressing loss and damage caused by climate impacts is critical, especially for the most vulnerable countries. Future negotiations will need to focus more on these aspects. Global Stocktakes: The first global stocktake will take place in 2023, which will be a critical moment to assess collective progress and inform the next round of NDCs.
This will be an opportunity to increase global ambition. Looking Ahead The future of the Paris Agreement hinges on increased ambition, accelerated action, and enhanced cooperation among all countries. With the impacts of climate change becoming increasingly evident, there is a growing urgency to address the climate crisis. The upcoming COP meetings will be crucial in addressing these challenges, setting the stage for enhanced global climate action. The success of the Paris Agreement will ultimately be measured by the collective ability of the world to limit global warming and transition to a sustainable, low-carbon future.
Author is a youth motivator and former Head of the University Department of Political Science, B.N. Mandal University,
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