What is the decision of Paris?

The Paris Agreement is an international treaty on climate change. It was adopted by 196 Parties at COP 21 in Paris, on 12 December 2015 and entered into force on 4 November 2016.

The Paris Agreement's long-term goal is to keep the increase in global average temperature to well below 2 °C above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 °C. To achieve this long-term temperature goal, countries aim to reach global peaking of greenhouse gas emissions as soon as possible to achieve a climate neutral world by mid-century.

Key elements

The Paris Agreement includes the following key elements:

* Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs): Each country sets its own NDC to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, taking into account its own national circumstances. NDCs are voluntary and can be revised over time.

* Adaptation: The Paris Agreement recognizes the importance of adaptation to the impacts of climate change and establishes a global goal to enhance adaptive capacity, strengthen resilience and reduce vulnerability to climate change.

* Finance: The Paris Agreement reaffirms the commitment of developed countries to provide financial assistance to developing countries for mitigation and adaptation. The target is to provide $100 billion per year by 2020.

* Technology: The Paris Agreement encourages countries to cooperate to develop and deploy climate-friendly technologies.

* Loss and damage: The Paris Agreement recognizes the importance of addressing the loss and damage caused by climate change, particularly for vulnerable communities.

* Transparency: The Paris Agreement establishes a framework for transparency of action and support, to build confidence and monitor progress.

Implications

The Paris Agreement is a landmark agreement that represents a global commitment to addressing climate change. It is the first universal, legally binding climate change agreement and it sets out a pathway for countries to limit global warming to well below 2 °C.

The Paris Agreement has a number of implications, including:

* Increased transparency: Countries will now be required to provide regular reports on their progress in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to climate change. This will help to build trust and confidence between countries and encourage them to cooperate in taking action on climate change.

* Enhanced cooperation: The Paris Agreement encourages countries to cooperate to develop and deploy climate-friendly technologies. This is essential for achieving the goals of the agreement, as no single country can solve the problem of climate change on its own.

* Greater funding: The Paris Agreement reaffirms the commitment of developed countries to provide financial assistance to developing countries for mitigation and adaptation. This funding is essential for helping vulnerable communities to adapt to the impacts of climate change and for supporting them in transitioning to clean energy economies.

* Recognition of loss and damage: The Paris Agreement recognizes the importance of addressing the loss and damage caused by climate change, particularly for vulnerable communities. This is a significant step forward, as it provides a framework for addressing this important issue.

Conclusion

The Paris Agreement is a historic agreement that represents a global commitment to addressing climate change. It is the first universal, legally binding climate change agreement and it sets out a pathway for countries to limit global warming to well below 2 °C. The agreement has a number of implications, including increased transparency, enhanced cooperation, greater funding, and recognition of loss and damage. The Paris Agreement is a landmark agreement that marks a turning point in the global response to climate change.