What is Paris Agreement ?
The Paris Agreement is a legally binding international treaty on climate change. It is like a promise that many countries made to help prevent Earth’s temperature from rising too much. They agreed to work together to reduce the pollution and gases that make the planet hotter. This is important because if the Earth gets too warm, it can cause problems like more extreme weather, rising sea levels, and harm to plants and animals. So, the Paris Agreement is a way for countries to cooperate and take actions to keep the planet a safe and comfortable place for everyone.
It was adopted by 196 Parties at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP21) in Paris, France, on 12 December 2015. It entered into force on 4 November 2016.
Goal
The main goal of the Paris Agreement is to tackle climate change by limiting global warming to a level that’s considered safe for the planet. Specifically, the agreement aims to keep the increase in global average temperature well below 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels, and to make efforts to limit the temperature increase even further to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit).
This is important because higher temperatures can lead to more severe and damaging impacts like more frequent and intense heatwaves, stronger storms, rising sea levels, and disruptions to ecosystems. The agreement also aims to enhance countries’ ability to cope with the impacts of climate change and to support developing nations in their efforts to transition to cleaner and more sustainable ways of growing their economies.
To achieve these goals, countries that are part of the Paris Agreement make commitments to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, which are the gases that contribute to global warming. They also agree to regularly review and strengthen their efforts over time. The idea is that by working together and taking collective action, countries can help prevent the worst effects of climate change and create a better future for the planet.
How Paris Agreement Works ?
The Paris Agreement works through a combination of global cooperation, commitments, and regular monitoring. Here’s a simplified breakdown of how it works:
- Country Commitments (Nationally Determined Contributions – NDCs): Each participating country sets its own goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to the impacts of climate change. These goals are called “Nationally Determined Contributions” (NDCs). Countries submit their NDCs, outlining their plans to reduce emissions, enhance climate resilience, and contribute to the overall goal of limiting global temperature rise.
- Global Temperature Goal: The agreement sets a target to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels, with an aim to limit it to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) if possible. This goal guides countries’ efforts to reduce emissions and take climate action.
- Transparency and Accountability: The agreement emphasizes transparency and accountability. Countries regularly report on their progress toward meeting their NDCs and share information about their emissions and efforts to adapt to climate change. This transparency allows other countries and the international community to assess whether the collective efforts are on track to achieve the temperature goals.
- Global Stocktake: Every five years, countries participate in a global stocktake where they collectively assess the progress made toward the agreement’s goals. This includes evaluating the effectiveness of countries’ actions, identifying gaps, and encouraging countries to enhance their commitments to align with the latest climate science.
- Financial Support: The agreement recognizes the need to support developing countries financially and technologically in their efforts to address climate change. Developed countries pledge to provide financial resources to help developing countries reduce emissions, adapt to climate impacts, and transition to sustainable development pathways.
- Capacity Building: The agreement promotes the sharing of knowledge, expertise, and technology to help countries build their capacity to address climate change effectively.
- Flexibility and Participation: The Paris Agreement is designed to be flexible to accommodate different national circumstances and capabilities. It encourages continuous improvement and encourages all countries to participate, regardless of their size or level of development.
How are we tracking progress ?
Through the Paris Agreement, nations have put in place an improved transparency system known as the Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF). As of 2024, countries will openly disclose their efforts and advancements in areas like lessening the impacts of climate change, adapting to its effects, and offering or receiving assistance. This framework also includes global procedures to evaluate the reports countries submit.
The data collected through the ETF will contribute to the Global Stocktake, which evaluates the joint advancement towards the overarching climate objectives. This evaluation will then offer suggestions to countries to establish even more ambitious strategies in the upcoming cycles.
Conclusion
While substantial efforts must be ramped up to meet the objectives outlined in the Paris Agreement, the period since its enactment has ignited the adoption of low-carbon innovations and emerging markets. Numerous nations, territories, urban areas, and corporations are now setting ambitious aims for achieving carbon neutrality. Carbon-free solutions are gaining ground, proving their competitiveness in around a quarter of emissions-contributing industries. This shift is particularly evident in the energy and transportation domains, offering promising prospects for pioneering ventures.
Looking ahead to 2030, it’s conceivable that sectors accounting for more than 70% of worldwide emissions could witness the economic viability of zero-carbon solutions.