What Has the Paris Agreement Accomplished So Far and More

What Is the Paris Agreement?

The Paris Agreement is an international treaty on climate change adopted by 196 parties at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP21) in 2015.

What are the main goals of the Paris Agreement? The main Paris Agreement goals are designed to strengthen the global response to climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions:

Limiting global temperature rise

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions

Adapting to climate change

Mobilizing finances

Technology development and transfer

Its main Paris Agreement goal is to combat climate change by limiting global temperature rise to below 2° Celsius above pre-industrial levels and restricting it to 1.5° Celsius.

The agreement emphasizes the importance of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving strategies to adapt to the adverse impacts of climate change. It also provides a framework for countries to set their own targets and to report on their progress regularly.

The agreement recognizes the principle of each country having common but different responsibilities and capabilities, taking into account varying national circumstances. The agreement aims to mobilize financial resources to help developing countries reduce their emissions, with wealthier countries encouraged to provide financial support to those countries and to report on the financing they will supply. Technology development and transfer are also essential parts of the Paris Agreement, as it will play a critical role in achieving its goals and adapting the world to the impacts of climate change.

Why Is the Paris Agreement Important?

The agreement requires all countries, rich and poor, developed and developing, to do their part and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Here are some reasons why the Paris Agreement is important:

Shift towards a net-zero emissions world: The Paris Agreement begins a global shift towards a net-zero emissions world. This is important because greenhouse gas emissions are a significant contributor to climate change, and a net-zero emissions world would help to limit global warming and its impacts.

Achievement of Sustainable Development Goals: Implementation of the Paris Agreement is essential for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. These goals aim to ensure peace and prosperity for all, including ending poverty and protecting our planet.

Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs): The most crucial piece of the Paris Agreement is that all members must make pledges of action every five years to lower their greenhouse gas emissions. These pledges are called their “Nationally Determined Contributions” (NDCs). By making these pledges, countries commit to taking action to reduce their emissions and combat climate change.

Financial and technological assistance: Wealthier countries like the United States have committed to providing financial and technological assistance to the developing world to help them meet their NDCs. This is important because developing countries also need funding and aid to meet their NDCs.

Preventing global temperature rise: The Paris Agreement requires countries to make the appropriate changes to help limit global temperature rises to 1.5° Celsius and to keep them “well below” 2° Celsius above pre-industrial times. This is important because restricting global temperature rise can help prevent the catastrophic impacts of climate change, including rising sea levels, more intense and frequent heat waves, and more severe and damaging storms.

Made to combat climate change, the Paris Agreement is a big step towards limiting global warming. It is important to note that each country has pledged because it shows their commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and combatting climate change. By working together, countries can achieve a net-zero emissions world and ensure a sustainable future for everyone.

How Many Countries Signed the Paris Agreement?

As of November 2022, all 196 countries that are members of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) are actively participating in the Paris Agreement. This marks a significant milestone in global efforts to address climate change, demonstrating unanimous international commitment to the goals set out in the Agreement.

What Are the US Commitments to the Paris Agreement?

When the US first signed the agreement in 2016, its initial target was a 17% drop below 2005 greenhouse gas levels by 2020. However, the US withdrew from the Paris Agreement under the Trump administration in 2017 and did not uphold any of its commitments on climate finance or domestic action. 

On January 20, 2021, President Biden signed the United States back into the Paris Agreement. As a result, the US officially became a party to the agreement again and committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions and combatting climate change.

Some of the commitments the US has made under the Paris Agreement include:

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 26-28% below 2005 levels by 2025

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 50-52% in 2030

Achieving zero-emission vehicle goals by 2030

Decarbonizing international shipping

Achieving net-zero emissions by 2050

Investing a proposed $2 trillion in clean energy and infrastructure.

Quadruple US climate financing to developing countries to more than $11 billion a year by 2024

Working with the Forest and Climate Leaders Partnership to end deforestation of the Amazon and other critical forests

Cutting methane emissions with the launch of a Methane Finance Sprint

Accelerating hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) phasedown under the Kigali Amendment

Accelerating carbon capture, removal, use, and storage technologies through a COP 28 Carbon Management Challenge

What Has the Paris Agreement Accomplished?

With the many lofty Paris Agreement goals, it’s natural to ask, “What has the Paris Agreement accomplished?” Since its initial adoption in 2015, the Paris Agreement has achieved some impressive feats:

A global commitment to combatting climate change

Beginning a global shift towards a net-zero emissions world

Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)

Financial and technological assistance to the developing world

Raised public awareness and participation

International cooperation

There are many examples of countries that are making significant progress toward their Paris Agreement goals:

Sweden: A prominent leader in renewable energy, Sweden has made substantial progress in reducing emissions. With a rigorous goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2045, Sweden has invested in renewable energy sources like wind and solar power. They have also enacted policies to promote energy efficiency and increase sustainable transportation.

Denmark: Another Scandinavian country to be a frontrunner in renewable energy, Denmark is making progress to reduce emissions and meet their goal of becoming carbon-neutral by 2050. They are investing in wind energy, energy efficiency, and sustainable transportation. They are well-known for their successful transition to renewable energy from wind power.

United Kingdom: The UK was the first major economy to legislate a net-zero emissions goal by 2050. They are transitioning to renewable sources, phasing out coal power plants, and investing in offshore wind energy.