The Paris Climate Agreement, also known as the Paris Climate Treaty or COP21, is a landmark international agreement aimed at addressing the global issue of climate change. The agreement was adopted in 2015 by 195 countries and has since been ratified by 188 countries.
The Paris Climate Agreement sets a target of limiting global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, with a goal of limiting the increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius. To achieve this, the agreement calls for countries to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and to strengthen their efforts over time.
Under the Paris Agreement, countries are required to submit nationally determined contributions (NDCs) outlining their emissions reduction targets and plans. The agreement also establishes a five-year cycle for countries to review and strengthen their NDCs, with the first review scheduled for 2020.
The Paris Agreement also includes provisions for finance, technology transfer, and capacity-building to help developing countries meet their emissions reduction targets. Developed countries are required to provide financial assistance to developing countries to support their climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts.
The Paris Climate Agreement has been hailed as a significant step forward in the global effort to address climate change. However, the agreement has also faced criticism for not being ambitious enough. Some argue that the targets set by the agreement are not sufficient to avoid the worst impacts of climate change, and that countries need to do more to reduce their emissions.
The United States, under the Trump administration, announced its intention to withdraw from the Paris Agreement in 2017. However, President Biden reversed this decision upon taking office in 2021, restoring the country`s commitment to the agreement.
Overall, the Paris Climate Agreement represents a crucial framework for global action on climate change. By setting clear targets and establishing a mechanism for countries to review and strengthen their efforts over time, the agreement provides a roadmap for climate action that can help to avoid the worst impacts of climate change.