The Paris Agreement on climate change, also known as the Paris Climate Accord, is an international treaty aimed at reducing global greenhouse gas emissions and limiting global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. The agreement was adopted on December 12, 2015, by 196 countries at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP21) in Paris, France.
The Paris Agreement is considered a historic achievement in the fight against climate change as it represents the first-ever universal and legally binding agreement on climate change. The agreement aims to unite countries in the common goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and limiting global warming, thereby protecting the planet from the devastating impacts of climate change.
Under the Paris Agreement, countries agreed to set their own targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, known as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). These NDCs are submitted every five years and are reviewed to ensure that countries are making progress towards meeting their goals. The agreement also established a system of reporting and transparency, where countries are required to regularly report on their progress towards meeting their NDCs.
The Paris Agreement recognizes the importance of addressing the needs of developing countries, who are most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change but have limited resources to deal with them. The agreement established the Green Climate Fund to help developing countries finance their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change.
In addition to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the Paris Agreement also aims to promote sustainable development and enhance the ability of countries to adapt to the impacts of climate change. The agreement recognizes that climate change is a global problem that requires collaboration and cooperation among all countries.
In summary, the Paris Agreement on climate change is a historic treaty that represents a united effort by countries around the world to combat climate change. The agreement aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, limit global warming, and promote sustainable development, while also recognizing the needs of developing countries and the importance of international cooperation. As the world continues to face the impacts of climate change, the Paris Agreement serves as a critical framework for addressing this global challenge.