The Paris Agreement Accord: Understanding the Climate Change Summit
The 21st Conference of Parties (COP21) was held in Paris in December 2015, where world leaders from 195 countries gathered to discuss a crucial issue – climate change. The outcome of the summit was the Paris Agreement Accord, a historic and ambitious agreement aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, limiting global warming, and adapting to the changing climate.
The Paris Agreement Accord came as a response to the alarmingly high levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, which are causing the Earth`s temperature to rise. The agreement`s primary goal is to keep the global temperature rise to below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, the agreement also aims to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius, which is crucial for protecting vulnerable ecosystems and communities.
The Paris Agreement Accord has been ratified by 189 countries since it was adopted in 2015. The United States, under President Obama`s administration, ratified the agreement in September 2016, but later withdrew from it under the Trump administration. However, President-elect Joe Biden has pledged to rejoin the agreement upon taking office in January 2021.
The Paris Agreement Accord builds upon the 1992 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which set up the international climate negotiation process. Under the Paris Agreement Accord, countries pledge to nationally determined contributions (NDCs), outlining their own plans for reducing emissions and adapting to climate change. These NDCs are reviewed every five years and should represent a progression from the previous ones.
The Paris Agreement Accord also includes provisions for financial assistance to developing countries, who are most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change but also have the least resources to tackle it. Developed countries are encouraged to provide financial resources to support developing countries in their efforts to reduce emissions and adapt to climate change.
In conclusion, the Paris Agreement Accord is a landmark agreement that recognizes the urgency and the global nature of the climate crisis. The agreement represents a collective effort to tackle climate change and sets a framework for countries to work together towards a sustainable future. As we face the challenges of the changing climate, the Paris Agreement Accord serves as a reminder that we need to act boldly and urgently to protect our planet.