December 12, 2015
The Paris Agreement, a global accord to combat climate change, was adopted by consensus by 196 parties at the 21st Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC.
Paris, France | United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
On December 12, 2015, the Paris Agreement was adopted by consensus by 196 parties at the 21st Conference of the Parties (COP21) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Paris, France. This historic accord marked a significant milestone in international efforts to combat climate change and mitigate its impacts.
The Paris Agreement emerged from a long history of international climate negotiations, building on the foundations laid by the Kyoto Protocol and previous UNFCCC conferences. The need for a comprehensive and legally binding global agreement became increasingly urgent as scientific evidence of climate change’s impacts grew more compelling.
The Paris Agreement set forth several critical objectives:
Limit Global Warming: The central aim is to keep the increase in global average temperature well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, with efforts to limit the temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
Enhance Adaptive Capacity: Strengthen the ability of countries to deal with the impacts of climate change, promoting resilience and reducing vulnerability.
Financial Support: Mobilize financial resources to assist developing countries in their climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts.
Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs): Each party is required to prepare, communicate, and maintain successive NDCs, outlining their efforts to reduce national emissions and adapt to climate change impacts.
Legally Binding Elements: While the agreement itself is legally binding, the specific targets set by each country are not. Instead, countries are expected to set ambitious targets and report on their progress.
Global Stocktake: Every five years, a global stocktake will assess collective progress towards achieving the purpose of the agreement and its long-term goals.
Transparency Framework: Establishes a robust transparency and accountability framework to track progress and ensure that countries meet their commitments.
The Paris Agreement is significant for several reasons:
Universal Participation: It is the first climate agreement to include commitments from all countries, developed and developing alike, recognizing their common but differentiated responsibilities.
Dynamic and Flexible: The agreement allows for the enhancement of commitments over time, encouraging countries to increase their ambition as technology advances and circumstances change.
Catalyst for Action: It has galvanized global efforts, encouraging governments, businesses, and civil society to take meaningful action towards a sustainable future.
Since its adoption, the Paris Agreement has influenced global climate policy and action:
Ratification and Implementation: As of 2023, nearly all UNFCCC members have ratified the agreement, demonstrating widespread commitment to its goals.
Increased Ambition: Many countries have updated their NDCs with more ambitious targets, reflecting the agreement’s role in driving progress.
Challenges and Criticisms: Despite its successes, the agreement faces challenges, including ensuring adequate financial support for developing countries and addressing the gap between current commitments and the 1.5-degree target.
The Paris Agreement represents a pivotal moment in the global response to climate change, setting a framework for international cooperation and action. Its success depends on the continued commitment and collaboration of all parties to achieve a sustainable and resilient future for the planet.
Source: unfccc.int