Paris Agreement

Paris Agreement. The Paris Agreement is a legally binding international treaty on climate change, adopted under the auspices of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). It was negotiated by 196 parties at the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 21) in Le Bourget, France, and entered into force on 4 November 2016. The central aim is to strengthen the global response to the threat of climate change by limiting global warming to well below 2, preferably to 1.5 degrees Celsius, compared to pre-industrial levels.

Background and negotiation

The path to the agreement was shaped by decades of international climate diplomacy, building upon foundational treaties like the Kyoto Protocol. Key preparatory meetings included the 2009 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, which, despite not achieving a binding accord, set the stage for a new approach. The negotiation process was significantly influenced by the work of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and advocacy by groups like the Alliance of Small Island States. Major diplomatic efforts were led by figures such as Laurent Fabius, the French Foreign Minister who presided over COP 21, and Christiana Figueres, then Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC. A pivotal moment was the joint announcement by Barack Obama and Xi Jinping in 2014, signaling commitment from the United States and China.

Goals and structure

The treaty's long-term temperature goal is anchored in the findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. It establishes a global framework for action, including a goal to reach global peaking of greenhouse gas emissions as soon as possible. A key mechanism is the system of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), whereby each party submits and updates its own climate action plans. Other structural elements include provisions for enhancing climate change adaptation, aligning financial flows with low-emission development, and establishing a transparency framework for reporting and review. The agreement also recognizes the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities.

Implementation and mechanisms

Implementation is driven by a five-year cycle of ambition, beginning with the submission of NDCs. The first major global stocktake concluded at COP 28 in Dubai, assessing collective progress. The agreement established the Paris Committee on Capacity-Building to support developing countries. Financial mechanisms are crucial, with the Green Climate Fund serving as a key operational entity to support projects in nations like Maldives and Bangladesh. Technology transfer is facilitated through the Technology Mechanism, overseen by the Climate Technology Centre and Network. The Katowice climate package, adopted at COP 24 in Poland, provided detailed implementation rules.

National contributions and compliance

Countries submit their NDCs to the UNFCCC registry; for example, the European Union submitted a collective target, while India emphasized renewable energy capacity. The compliance mechanism is facilitative and non-punitive, overseen by a committee elected by the Conference of the Parties. Reporting is mandatory under the Enhanced Transparency Framework, with common reporting tables for all parties. Initial NDCs were deemed insufficient to meet the temperature goals, leading to calls for increased ambition. The withdrawal and subsequent re-entry of the United States under different administrations highlighted the political volatility surrounding national commitments.

Reception and criticism

The agreement was widely hailed by world leaders, the United Nations Secretary-General, and organizations like the World Resources Institute as a historic diplomatic breakthrough. However, it has faced significant criticism from various quarters. Some scientists and activists, including Greta Thunberg and groups like Extinction Rebellion, argue its pledges are insufficient to avert catastrophic warming. Legal scholars debate the strength of its binding provisions, while some developing nations criticize the adequacy of financial support from developed countries. Political opposition within nations like the United States has focused on perceived economic impacts. Despite this, it remains the cornerstone of global climate governance, influencing policies from the European Green Deal to corporate strategies worldwide.

Category:Climate change treaties Category:2015 in the environment Category:Treaties concluded in 2015