The Paris Agreement is a global accord enacted on December 12, 2015, by 195 countries under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). It represents a global commitment to addressing climate change by reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, enhancing adaptation measures, and promoting sustainable development.
The agreement marked a significant shift in climate diplomacy, moving from legally binding emission reduction targets to a more flexible approach based on voluntary commitments from participating countries.
Why It Was Held?
The Paris Agreement was negotiated to respond to the increasing threats of climate change. Prior international efforts, such as the Kyoto Protocol, had failed to effectively curb global GHG emissions due to political disagreements and the exclusion of major emitters like the United States and China.
The 2009 Copenhagen Conference, which aimed to produce a strong successor to Kyoto, failed, highlighting the need for a new approach to global climate governance. The Paris Agreement aimed to overcome the impasse in climate negotiations by allowing countries to determine their climate action plans, thereby increasing participation and commitment.
Results of the Paris Agreement
One of the main objectives of the Paris Agreement is to limit global warming to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, with efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C further. This goal is important because exceeding these temperature thresholds would lead to severe environmental and economic consequences.
Unlike the Kyoto Protocol, which imposed top-down mandatory emission reduction targets, the Paris Agreement allows each country to set its own emission reduction goals, known as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). Countries are required to submit updated NDCs every five years, with the expectation that they will increase in ambition over time.
The agreement recognizes that climate change impacts are already occurring and emphasizes the need for adaptation measures. It calls for enhanced resilience-building efforts, particularly in developing countries most vulnerable to climate change effects, such as rising sea levels and extreme weather events.
Country Compliance in The Paris Agreement: All Watched!
To ensure that countries follow through on their commitments, the Paris Agreement establishes a transparency framework that requires regular reporting on emissions, progress on NDCs, and climate finance contributions. Furthermore, Every five years, a global assessment, known as the “global stocktake,” is conducted to evaluate collective progress toward achieving the agreement’s long-term climate goals.
The Paris Agreement represents a turning point in international climate governance. Unlike previous climate treaties, it acknowledges countries’ diverse economic and social conditions and allows for a flexible, country-driven approach.
By emphasizing voluntary commitments and transparency, it has gathered widespread participation.Navigating the complexities of the Paris Agreement and contributing to a sustainable future can be challenging.
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Author: Ainur, Editor: Sabilla
References:
United Nations. (2015). Paris Agreement. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Retrieved from: https://unfccc.int/sites/default/files/english_paris_agreement.pdf
Falkner, R. (2016). The Paris Agreement and the new logic of international climate politics. International Affairs, 92(5), 1107–1125. https://doi.org/10.1111/1468-2346.12708
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