The Paris Agreement is an international accord that was created to address the threat of climate change. It was adopted by 196 countries at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris in 2015 and came into force in November 2016.
The main purpose of the Paris Agreement is to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, while aiming for a limit of 1.5 degrees Celsius. It aims to achieve this by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing financial and technical support for developing countries to help them adapt to the impacts of climate change.
To achieve its goals, the Paris Agreement sets out a number of key objectives and principles. These include:
1. A long-term goal: The agreement aims to achieve a balance between the amount of greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere and the amount that can be removed through natural processes or by human intervention, known as carbon neutrality.
2. Mitigation: The Paris Agreement requires countries to submit mitigation plans, known as nationally determined contributions (NDCs), that outline their efforts to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. These plans are reviewed and updated every five years, with the aim of increasing the ambition of the targets over time.
3. Adaptation: To help vulnerable countries adapt to the impacts of climate change, the Paris Agreement establishes the Adaptation Fund, which provides financial support for projects that improve resilience to climate change.
4. Finance: Developed countries are required to provide financial support to developing countries to help them implement their NDCs and adapt to the impacts of climate change. The Paris Agreement also aims to mobilize private sector funding for climate action.
5. Transparency: The Paris Agreement requires countries to report on their emissions and progress towards their NDCs, and to undergo a review process to ensure they are meeting their commitments.
Overall, the main purpose of the Paris Agreement is to provide a framework for international cooperation to address the threat of climate change. It sets out a clear vision for a low-carbon, climate-resilient future and outlines a roadmap for achieving that vision through collaborative efforts across countries and sectors. By limiting global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius, the Paris Agreement aims to protect the planet and ensure a sustainable future for generations to come.