The Adoption of the Paris Agreement at COP 21

On December 4, 2015, during the 21st Conference of the Parties (COP 21) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Paris Agreement was adopted by consensus in Paris, France. This landmark accord marked a pivotal moment in global efforts to combat climate change and transition towards a sustainable, low-carbon future.

Context and Background

The Paris Agreement was the culmination of years of negotiations and efforts to create a comprehensive framework for addressing climate change. It followed the Kyoto Protocol, which had set binding emission reduction targets for developed countries but was criticized for its limited scope and lack of participation from major emitters like the United States and China.

Leading up to COP 21, there was a growing recognition of the urgent need for a more inclusive and effective global agreement. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) had released reports highlighting the severe impacts of climate change, and there was increasing public and political pressure for decisive action.

Key Provisions of the Paris Agreement

The Paris Agreement set out several key objectives and mechanisms:

1. Temperature Goal: It aims to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, with efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

2. Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs): Countries are required to submit their own climate action plans, known as NDCs, which outline their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate impacts. These contributions are to be updated every five years, with each update representing a progression beyond the previous one.

3. Global Stocktake: Every five years, a global stocktake will assess the collective progress towards achieving the agreement’s long-term goals, informing future actions and NDC updates.

4. Financial Support: Developed countries committed to providing financial resources to assist developing countries in their climate mitigation and adaptation efforts, with a goal of mobilizing $100 billion annually by 2020.

5. Transparency and Accountability: The agreement established a framework for transparency and accountability, requiring countries to regularly report on their emissions and implementation efforts.

Significance and Aftermath

The adoption of the Paris Agreement was hailed as a historic achievement, representing a unified global commitment to addressing climate change. It was the first time that both developed and developing countries agreed to take action, reflecting a shift towards a more inclusive and cooperative approach.

The agreement entered into force on November 4, 2016, after being ratified by a sufficient number of countries. As of 2023, nearly every nation in the world has signed and ratified the agreement, demonstrating its broad acceptance and importance.

The Paris Agreement has spurred a range of initiatives and actions at national, regional, and local levels, driving innovation and investment in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and sustainable practices. However, challenges remain, including the need for increased ambition and implementation to meet the agreement’s goals and address the ongoing impacts of climate change.

In summary, the adoption of the Paris Agreement at COP 21 was a critical step in the global response to climate change, setting a framework for international cooperation and action towards a sustainable future.