The Paris climate agreement, also known as the Paris Agreement, is an international treaty that was signed in 2016 by 196 countries, including the United States, China, India, and European Union member states. Its primary goal is to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels, with an aim to limit the increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit), in order to avoid the most severe impacts of climate change.
The Paris Agreement is a continuation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which was signed in 1992 by the international community to address the issues of climate change. The Paris Agreement is an extension of this convention, outlining the actions and commitments required by countries to limit global warming.
Under the Paris Agreement, countries are required to submit their own greenhouse gas reduction targets, known as nationally determined contributions (NDCs). These targets are reviewed every five years and are expected to be more ambitious as the world progresses towards the long-term goal of decarbonization.
The Paris Agreement also established a mechanism for developed countries to provide financial and technological support to developing countries to help them transition to low-carbon economies and adapt to the impacts of climate change. This mechanism is known as the Green Climate Fund, and it aims to mobilize $100 billion per year by 2020.
One of the key aspects of the Paris Agreement is its recognition of the important role that non-state actors, such as businesses, cities, and civil society organizations, can play in mitigating and adapting to climate change. The agreement provides a framework for these actors to engage in climate action and collaborate with governments and international organizations.
In summary, the Paris climate agreement is a historic international treaty that aims to limit global warming, with the ultimate goal of decarbonization. It includes commitments from countries to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, provisions for financial and technological support to developing countries, and opportunities for non-state actors to engage in climate action.
