What is the Paris Climate Agreement?
The Paris climate agreement is an international agreement whose goal is to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius compared to the level prevailing in pre-industrial times and to strive to limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. The agreement was approved on 12 December 2015 at the UN climate conference (COP21) held in Paris and entered into force on 4 November 2016.
What is the goal of the Paris climate agreement?
The main goal of the Paris climate agreement is to curb climate change and limit the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2 degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial times. In addition, the agreement aims to limit the temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius, which would significantly reduce the risks and effects of climate change.
Key elements
- Climate goals: The agreement obliges countries to set national climate goals (Nationally Determined Contributions, NDCs) and to update them every five years.
- Reporting and monitoring: Countries commit to reporting on their progress and actions to curb climate change. This enables transparency and comparability.
- Funding: Developed countries undertake to support developing countries in curbing and adapting to climate change. The goal is to mobilize 100 billion dollars a year by 2020.
- Adaptation: The agreement emphasizes the importance of adaptation measures and supports countries’ efforts to reduce the harmful effects of climate change.
The significance of the Paris climate agreement
The Paris climate agreement is a significant step in global climate policy, as it is the first widely accepted agreement that binds all countries to common climate goals. The agreement creates a framework for international cooperation and encourages countries to take ambitious climate action. It also sends a strong signal to companies and investors about moving towards a low-carbon economy.
Challenges and criticism
Although the Paris climate agreement has received widespread support, it is not without challenges and criticism. Some critics have pointed out that the agreement’s goals and actions are not ambitious enough to curb climate change. In addition, the implementation of the agreement and the countries’ commitment vary, which can make it difficult to achieve the goals.
