Paris Agreement Basic Facts

The Paris Agreement: Basic Facts

The Paris Agreement is a legally binding agreement that was adopted by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in December 2015. The agreement is aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and limiting global warming to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels while pursuing efforts to limit it to 1.5°C.

The Paris Agreement has several key features:

1. Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)

Each country is required to set its own contribution to the Paris Agreement, known as its NDC. These contributions should be ambitious and represent the country`s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The NDCs are reviewed every five years, and countries are encouraged to increase the ambition of their contributions over time.

2. Adaptation

The Paris Agreement recognizes the need for countries to adapt to the impacts of climate change. It calls for the provision of financial and technical support to help developing countries adapt to climate change and build resilience.

3. Transparency

The Paris Agreement requires countries to report on their greenhouse gas emissions and progress towards meeting their NDCs. This information will be made public, creating transparency and accountability.

4. Finance

Developed countries are required to provide financial support to developing countries to help them reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change. The Paris Agreement also calls for the mobilization of funding from a variety of sources, including public and private sources.

5. Technology transfer

The Paris Agreement recognizes the importance of technology in addressing climate change. It calls for the transfer of technology from developed to developing countries to help them reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change.

The Paris Agreement has been signed by 197 countries and ratified by 189. The United States was one of the countries to sign the agreement but announced its intention to withdraw in 2017. However, the United States officially rejoined the agreement in February 2021.

In conclusion, the Paris Agreement is one of the most significant international agreements aimed at addressing climate change. Its key features, such as NDCs, adaptation, transparency, finance, and technology transfer, are aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and limiting global warming. With almost all countries in the world now committed to the agreement, it represents a significant step towards a more sustainable future.