2015 International Climate Agreement

The 2015 international climate agreement, also known as the Paris Agreement, represents a historic moment in global efforts to combat climate change. It was adopted on December 12, 2015, by 196 parties at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP21) in Paris, France. The agreement aims to limit the global temperature increase to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

The Paris Agreement is a legally binding agreement under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). It sets out a framework for countries to take action to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change. Each country is required to submit its own nationally determined contribution (NDC), which outlines its targets and plans for reducing emissions. The NDCs are updated every five years, and countries are expected to increase their ambition over time.

The Paris Agreement also establishes a system for tracking progress and ensuring transparency. Countries are required to regularly report on their emissions and progress towards their NDCs. A global stocktake is conducted every five years to assess collective progress towards the goals of the agreement and to identify areas where further action is needed.

In addition to reducing emissions, the Paris Agreement recognizes the importance of adaptation to the impacts of climate change. Developed countries are required to provide financial and technological support to developing countries to help them adapt and build resilience to climate change.

The Paris Agreement has been widely hailed as a significant milestone in the global fight against climate change. It represents a major step forward from the previous international climate agreement, the Kyoto Protocol, which only covered developed countries and did not include the United States. The Paris Agreement is more inclusive, with all countries participating, and it recognizes the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, taking into account different national circumstances.

However, the Paris Agreement is not without its critics. Some argue that it does not go far enough to address the urgent need for action on climate change. The current NDCs are not sufficient to limit the global temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius, and there is concern that countries may not increase their ambition over time. There is also debate over the role of carbon markets and whether they will be effective in reducing emissions.

Despite these challenges, the Paris Agreement represents a major step forward in global efforts to combat climate change. It provides a framework for countries to take action and work together towards a more sustainable future. As the world continues to grapple with the impacts of climate change, the Paris Agreement remains a critical tool in the fight to protect our planet.