The Paris Agreement of 2015 is a historic accord that aimed to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, with a goal of keeping it to 1.5 degrees Celsius. The agreement was a result of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and was adopted by 196 countries.
There are several key goals of the Paris Agreement that are critical to meeting its objective of keeping global warming within a safe range. These include:
1. Mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions: The Paris Agreement aims to limit the amount of greenhouse gases (GHGs) that are released into the atmosphere, primarily carbon dioxide from burning fossil fuels. Countries have pledged to reduce their GHG emissions and work towards net-zero emissions by the second half of this century.
2. Adaptation to climate change: The Paris Agreement recognizes that even if we reduce GHG emissions, some impacts of climate change are already irreversible. Therefore, it also seeks to help countries adapt to the changing climate and develop resilience to its impacts.
3. Finance and technology transfer: Developed countries have committed to providing financial and technological assistance to developing nations to help them reduce emissions, adapt to climate change impacts, and transition to low-carbon economies.
4. Transparency and accountability: The Paris Agreement establishes a framework for monitoring and reporting on country-level progress towards meeting their emissions-reduction targets. This ensures transparency and encourages accountability to the commitments made under the agreement.
5. Long-term strategy: The Paris Agreement requires countries to develop long-term, low-emission development strategies (LT-LEDS) to guide their transition to a sustainable, low-carbon future.
The goals of the Paris Agreement are ambitious, but they are necessary to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. Climate scientists warn that failing to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius will result in more frequent and severe heat waves, droughts, storms, sea-level rise, and other climate impacts that could have catastrophic consequences for people and the planet.
Overall, the Paris Agreement represents a critical milestone in global efforts to address climate change. While its implementation has faced challenges, it remains an important framework for collective action towards a sustainable and equitable future.
