The Paris Agreement is an international effort to address the pressing issue of climate change. This historic agreement was adopted by 196 parties at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in December 2015 and has since been ratified by 189 countries.
The Paris Agreement aims to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase even further to 1.5 degrees Celsius. This is a crucial target, as even a 2-degree increase could have catastrophic consequences for our planet, including more frequent and severe heatwaves, droughts, floods, and storms.
To achieve this goal, the Paris Agreement sets out a framework to strengthen the ability of all countries to take action on climate change. Each country must submit a climate action plan, known as a Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), outlining its targets and plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. These plans must be updated and reviewed every five years to ensure that they are ambitious enough to meet the goals of the agreement.
The Paris Agreement also includes a transparent system for tracking progress and supporting countries in their efforts to reduce emissions. Developed countries have pledged to provide financial assistance to developing countries to help them transition to low-carbon economies and adapt to the impacts of climate change.
The Paris Agreement is a significant achievement in the fight against climate change, particularly after the disappointing outcomes of previous climate negotiations. However, the agreement is only the first step in addressing the urgent threat of climate change. It is now up to countries to implement their NDCs and take bold action to reduce emissions and build resilience to the impacts of climate change.
In conclusion, the Paris Agreement is an important international effort to address climate change, aiming to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. The agreement provides a framework for countries to take action on climate change, including submitting climate action plans and receiving financial assistance. However, the success of the agreement relies on countries implementing their commitments and taking bold action to reduce emissions and build resilience.
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