The Paris Agreement, adopted on December 12, 2015, during the 21st Conference of the Parties (COP21) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Paris, is a landmark international accord aimed at combating climate change and limiting global temperature rise.

Here are the key features of the Paris Agreement:

Contents

1. Long-Term Temperature Goal

Temperature Limitation: The primary goal of the Paris Agreement is to limit global temperature rise to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, with efforts to limit the increase to 1.5°C. This ambitious target reflects the need to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions to prevent severe climate impacts.

2. Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)

Voluntary Contributions: Each country is required to submit its own climate action plan, known as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), outlining its intended efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change.
Flexibility: NDCs are determined by each country based on its national circumstances and capabilities. This approach allows for flexibility and encourages broad participation.

3. Global Stocktake

Periodic Review: The Agreement establishes a global stocktake mechanism to assess collective progress toward achieving the long-term temperature goal. This review takes place every five years, starting in 2023.
Ambition Enhancement: The stocktake is designed to encourage countries to increase their climate ambitions over time and enhance the effectiveness of their NDCs.

4. Financial Support

Climate Finance: Developed countries are committed to providing financial support to developing countries to help them mitigate and adapt to climate change. This includes mobilizing $100 billion per year by 2020, with a goal to continue this level of support through 2025.
Capacity Building: The Agreement also emphasizes capacity-building support for developing countries to improve their ability to respond to climate change.

5. Adaptation and Resilience

Adaptation Efforts: The Paris Agreement recognizes the importance of adaptation to climate impacts and encourages countries to enhance their adaptive capacities. It establishes a global goal on adaptation, aiming to increase resilience and reduce vulnerability.
Adaptation Communication: Countries are encouraged to communicate their adaptation efforts and progress, enhancing transparency and sharing best practices.

6. Loss and Damage

Addressing Loss and Damage: The Agreement acknowledges the need to address loss and damage associated with the impacts of climate change, particularly in vulnerable countries. It includes provisions for enhancing understanding and support for those experiencing loss and damage.

7. Transparency and Accountability

Transparency Framework: The Agreement establishes an enhanced transparency framework to track progress on NDCs, financial contributions, and other climate actions. This includes regular reporting and review processes to ensure accountability.
Review Mechanisms: Countries are required to report on their emissions and progress toward their NDCs, and these reports are subject to international review.

8. Long-Term Carbon Neutrality Goal

Carbon Neutrality: The Agreement aims to achieve a balance between anthropogenic emissions by sources and removals by sinks of greenhouse gases in the second half of this century, effectively aiming for carbon neutrality.

9. Global Cooperation

Multilateral Approach: The Paris Agreement emphasizes global cooperation and collective action to address climate change. It encourages countries to work together and support one another in achieving their climate goals.

10. Legal Structure and Binding Elements

Legally Binding Framework: While the targets set by the NDCs are not legally binding, the Agreement itself is a legally binding international treaty. The obligations related to transparency, reporting, and financial contributions are enforceable under international law.

Conclusion

The Paris Agreement represents a comprehensive and flexible framework for addressing climate change on a global scale. Its key features include ambitious temperature goals, a system of voluntary national contributions, financial and technical support for developing countries, and mechanisms for transparency and accountability. By fostering global cooperation and encouraging continuous enhancement of climate actions, the Agreement aims to mitigate climate change impacts and build resilience worldwide.