The Paris Climate Agreement is a legally binding international treaty adopted in 2015 that seeks to limit global warming to below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, and ideally, to limit it to 1.5°C. The agreement was negotiated by 196 parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and has been ratified by 189 countries, including the United States.
The Paris Climate Agreement has several requirements that aim to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and prevent the worst effects of climate change. Here are some of the key requirements of the Paris Climate Agreement:
1. Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)
All countries that have ratified the Paris Climate Agreement must submit a plan for reducing their GHG emissions, known as a Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC). NDCs are intended to be ambitious and reflect each country`s unique circumstances, capabilities, and priorities.
2. Global Stocktake
The Paris Climate Agreement requires a global stocktake every five years to assess progress towards the long-term temperature goal and the overall effectiveness of the agreement. The first global stocktake is scheduled to take place in 2023.
3. Transparency and Accountability
The Paris Climate Agreement establishes a transparency framework to ensure that countries are implementing their NDCs and reporting their emissions accurately and consistently. The agreement also includes provisions for tracking progress, reviewing implementation, and assessing the effectiveness of the agreement.
4. Adaptation
The Paris Climate Agreement recognizes the importance of adaptation to the impacts of climate change, particularly for developing countries that are most vulnerable to its effects. The agreement calls for increased support for adaptation efforts, including funding, technology transfer, and capacity-building.
5. Finance
The Paris Climate Agreement requires developed countries to provide financial support to developing countries to help them reduce their GHG emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change. The agreement also calls for the mobilization of private finance towards climate-friendly investments.
In conclusion, the Paris Climate Agreement is an ambitious global effort to address climate change and its impacts. Its requirements, including NDCs, global stocktakes, transparency and accountability, adaptation, and finance, aim to reduce GHG emissions and prevent the worst effects of climate change. By working together, countries can achieve the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement and build a more sustainable future for all.