The Paris Agreement, an international treaty signed in 2015, is a landmark commitment to combating climate change. With 194 participating countries, the agreement aims to limit global temperature rise to below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, and to pursue efforts to limit the increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius. The agreement sets out numerous terms to achieve these goals, including mitigation, adaptation, and finance.
Mitigation refers to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change. The Paris Agreement’s main focus is on reducing emissions from industries, transportation, and agriculture, which are responsible for a significant amount of global emissions. Participating countries are required to submit their own mitigation plans, known as nationally determined contributions (NDCs), which outline their individual commitments to reducing emissions.
Adaptation refers to the measures undertaken to cope with the effects of climate change that are already occurring. The Paris Agreement recognizes the importance of adaptation in helping vulnerable communities and ecosystems adapt to the impacts of climate change. The agreement calls for the creation of national adaptation plans and the provision of financial and technical support for developing countries.
Finance is a crucial component of the Paris Agreement. Developed countries are required to provide financial support to developing countries to help them mitigate and adapt to climate change. The agreement establishes a goal of mobilizing $100 billion per year in climate finance from public and private sources by 2020. The agreement also calls for transparency and accountability in the use of climate finance, as well as the provision of support to countries that are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
The Paris Agreement also includes provisions for reporting and review, transparency, technology transfer, and capacity-building. Participating countries are required to submit regular reports on their progress towards meeting their mitigation and adaptation commitments, as well as provide information on their financial contributions and the implementation of their plans. The agreement also calls for the development and transfer of technology to support mitigation and adaptation efforts, as well as the strengthening of capacity-building efforts in developing countries.
In conclusion, the Paris Agreement terms outline a comprehensive approach to combating climate change, addressing mitigation, adaptation, and finance, as well as other key components. The agreement represents a significant step forward in addressing the urgent challenge of climate change and working towards a sustainable future.