The Paris Agreement, an international treaty adopted in 2015, 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. The agreement was ratified by 189 countries and territories, making it a truly global effort to combat climate change.
The agreement has several components that work together to achieve its goals. One of the most important is the nationally determined contributions (NDCs). These are the emissions reduction commitments that each country makes. The NDCs are not legally binding, but they are intended to be ambitious and to reflect the country`s best efforts to reduce emissions.
The Paris Agreement also includes a transparency framework to help ensure that countries are following through on their commitments. This includes regular reporting of emissions data, as well as technical reviews to help countries improve their reporting and implementation.
Another key component of the Paris Agreement is the financial mechanism. Developed countries have committed to providing financial assistance to developing countries to help them mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change. This funding is intended to help developing countries transition to low-carbon economies and build resilience to the impacts of climate change.
The Paris Agreement also includes provisions for adaptation, which recognizes that even with ambitious emissions reductions, some impacts of climate change are already unavoidable. Countries are required to develop and report on adaptation plans, and to share best practices and information to help others build resilience.
Finally, the Paris Agreement includes provisions for technology transfer and capacity building. This recognizes that not all countries have the same level of technology or capacity to address climate change. Developed countries are committed to providing technology and capacity building support to developing countries to help them implement their NDCs and build resilience to the impacts of climate change.
In conclusion, the Paris Agreement is a comprehensive and ambitious international effort to combat climate change. Its component parts work together to ensure that countries are working towards a common goal, and that they are transparently reporting their progress. While the Paris Agreement is not a perfect solution, it is a significant step forward in the fight against climate change.