The Paris Agreement is a historic international pact signed by nearly every country in the world. The aim of the agreement is to limit global warming to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and pursue efforts to limit the increase to 1.5°C. The Paris Agreement was adopted in December 2015, during the 21st Conference of Parties (COP21) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), held in Paris, France.
The Paris Agreement represents a significant milestone in the global fight against climate change. It is the first time that nearly every country in the world has come together to work towards a common goal of curbing carbon emissions and reducing global warming. The agreement provides a framework for countries to work together to reduce their carbon emissions and to transition to a low-carbon economy.
One of the key features of the Paris Agreement is the nationally determined contributions (NDCs) that each country is required to submit. These NDCs outline the country`s plans for reducing its greenhouse gas emissions and transitioning to a low-carbon economy. The agreement also includes provisions for funding and technology transfers to help developing countries meet their emissions reduction targets.
The Paris Agreement also includes a long-term goal to reach a balance between anthropogenic emissions by sources and removals by sinks of greenhouse gases in the second half of this century. This means that by the end of the century, the world needs to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions to keep global warming to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels.
The Paris Agreement has been ratified by 190 countries, including the United States, China, and India. However, in 2017, the United States, under the Trump administration, announced its intention to withdraw from the agreement. The U.S. officially left the agreement on November 4, 2020, but President Joe Biden has since rejoined the agreement.
In conclusion, the Paris Agreement is a historic international pact designed to limit global warming and curb carbon emissions. The agreement provides a framework for countries to work together to reduce their carbon emissions and transition to a low-carbon economy. The Paris Agreement represents a critical milestone in the fight against climate change and has received widespread support from governments and organizations worldwide.