In December 2015, representatives from 196 countries gathered in Paris, France for the United Nations Climate Change Conference. The goal of the conference was to negotiate and agree on a plan to combat climate change on a global scale. The result was the 2015 international climate change agreement, also known as the Paris Agreement.
The Paris Agreement is a historic agreement as it is the first time that all countries, both developed and developing, have committed to take action to combat climate change. The agreement sets out a global target to limit the increase in global average temperature to below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, with the aim of limiting it to 1.5 degrees Celsius. This target is a critical step in preventing the worst effects of climate change, such as extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and the destruction of ecosystems.
The Paris Agreement is a legally binding agreement, requiring all countries to take action to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. Countries have pledged to reduce their emissions as part of their nationally determined contributions (NDCs). These NDCs are reviewed and updated every five years, with the first review taking place in 2020. The aim is to ensure that countries are taking sufficient action to meet the global target.
The Paris Agreement also includes a commitment to provide financial support to developing countries to assist them in their efforts to combat climate change. Developed countries have pledged to provide $100 billion per year in climate finance by 2020, with a commitment to increase this level of funding beyond 2020.
The Paris Agreement has been hailed as a major achievement in the fight against climate change. However, the agreement alone is not enough to prevent the worst effects of climate change. It is up to individual countries to take significant action to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. This will require major changes in the way we produce and consume energy, as well as significant investment in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and other low-carbon technologies.
In conclusion, the 2015 international climate change agreement, or the Paris Agreement, is a historic agreement that sets out a global target to limit the increase in global average temperature to below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. The agreement is a critical step in the fight against climate change and requires all countries to take action to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. While the agreement is a major achievement, significant action is required by individual countries to prevent the worst effects of climate change.
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