Paris Agreement

It’s a collaborative pact under the umbrella of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) also known as the Paris Climate Agreement or COP21,

Background

The Paris Agreement of 2016 embraced the essence of previous global appeals for collaborative action against the challenges of climate change. A pivotal moment was the Earth Summit of 1992, when international leaders recognized the significant impact of human activities on the environment. Subsequently, the Kyoto Protocol in 1997 introduced mandatory emission reduction targets, albeit for a limited number of nations. However, some countries, like the United States, refrained from ratifying the protocol due to its legally binding nature.

The initial phase of Kyoto commitments concluded in 2012, leading to the proposal of the Copenhagen Accord during COP 15. While endorsing the Kyoto Protocol, the Copenhagen Accord took a more flexible approach, being non-binding and lenient regarding deadlines.

Goals of Paris Agreement (COP21)

Article 2 of the Paris Climate Agreement outlines its key objectives, which encompass:

• Curtailing the increase in average global temperature to less than 2 degrees Celsius, with a preference for achieving this below 1.5 degrees Celsius. This aspiration is geared towards mitigating the threats and consequences of climate change.
• Enhancing the ability to withstand climate challenges and diminishing greenhouse gas emissions to ensure flexibility and preparedness. This objective aims to manage potential negative effects on food supply.
• Securing affordable funding for the development of climate resilience measures. This endeavor seeks to support the construction of strategies that can effectively combat the impacts of climate change.

Recent updates

The 2022 State of the Global Climate report published by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) highlighted that the Paris Agreement on Climate Change has not succeeded in achieving its intended goals.

The Climate Ambition Summit, commemorating the 5th Anniversary of the Paris Agreement, commenced on December 12, 2020, in Glasgow, Scotland. Its purpose was to offer a platform for both governmental and non-governmental leaders to showcase their dedication to the Paris Agreement and the collaborative process.

During the summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a virtual speech, sharing that India has successfully reduced its global emissions by 21% in comparison to 2005 and is committed to making further strides, as elaborated below.

Looking ahead, the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) is scheduled to be hosted by the UK in Glasgow from October 31 to November 12, 2021.

Nature

Non-binding and lenient regarding deadlines.

What is Paris Agreement in context of climate change

The Paris Agreement, established in 2015 as a legally binding international accord under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) during the UNFCCC COP21, serves as a dedicated response to climate change. Its primary goal is to counteract climate shifts and restrict global temperature rise to a level significantly less than 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, with a fervent aspiration to limit the increase to just 1.5 degrees Celsius.

Replacing the earlier Kyoto Protocol, this landmark agreement introduces a comprehensive structure for global collaboration among nations to diminish the emission of greenhouse gases, bolster adaptability to climate change impacts, and extend support to developing nations in their endeavors to tackle climate-related challenges.

One of the pivotal mechanisms of the Paris Agreement necessitates each country to periodically present and revise their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) every five years, outlining their strategies for curtailing greenhouse gas emissions and effectively addressing climate change effects. These NDCs essentially represent the commitments made by countries to not only diminish their greenhouse gas discharges but also to confront the ramifications of climate change head-on.

Difference between Kyoto protocol and Paris Agreement

Aspect	Paris Agreement	Kyoto Protocol
Signing and Establishment	Signed in 2016	Established in 1997
Emission Reduction Scope	Both developing and developed nations	Primarily industrialized nations
Targeted Emission Contributors	All anthropogenic greenhouse gases	6 major greenhouse gases (CO2, methane, etc.)
Exemption of Developing Nations	Not exempted	Exempted developing nations
Temperature Rise Prevention Goal	Limit global temperature rise to <2°C	Reduce greenhouse gases to 5.2% below 1990
Time Frame for Goal Achievement	2025-2030	First phase until 2012

India at Paris Agreement COP21

1. Emission Intensity Reduction: Aim to decrease emissions intensity (compared to GDP) by around 35% by the year 2030, using 2005 as the base year.
2. Transition to Renewable Energy: Strive to shift away from fossil fuel-based electricity. The goal is to attain approximately 40% of electricity generation from renewable energy sources by 2030.
3. Enhancing Carbon Sink: Focus on expanding forest cover to enhance carbon sink capacity. The objective is to create a carbon sink capable of absorbing over 2.5 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide.
4. India’s Climate Stand: While India acknowledges its limited role in climate change, it emphasizes its sincere and ambitious willingness to collaborate with global efforts.
5. Renewable Energy Boost: India aims to increase its reliance on renewable energy, ramping up from 35 GW in 2015 to an impressive 175 GW by 2022.
6. Equity and Commitments: According to India, equity translates to national commitments aligning with a country’s carbon capacity.
7. Global Financial Support: India anticipates that developed nations will mobilize $100 billion annually by 2020, dedicated to mitigation and adaptation efforts in developing countries.

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Some articles of Paris Agreement

Article 3: Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)
Article 3 of the Paris Agreement focuses on Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). These are individual targets set by each country to reduce emissions and combat climate change. These goals are tailored to each nation’s unique circumstances.

Article 6: Cooperative Actions
Article 6 of the Paris Agreement serves a few crucial purposes:

1. Supporting NDCs: It assists governments in creating and implementing their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). This helps ensure that each country’s efforts are effective and well-coordinated.
2. Global Carbon Pricing: Article 6 also aims to establish a global carbon price. This would provide economic incentives for reducing carbon emissions, promoting cleaner practices, and addressing climate challenges.
3. International Cooperation: The Paris Agreement (Article 7) emphasizes the importance of international collaboration. It encourages developed countries to help developing nations enhance their resilience against climate change impacts.

Addressing Loss and Damage (Article 8)
The Paris Agreement recognizes the necessity of managing the loss and damage caused by climate change. It proposes various strategies, including:

1. Early Warning System: Implementing systems to predict and alert about climate-related risks in advance.
2. Emergency Preparedness: Being ready to respond effectively to climate-related emergencies.
3. Risk Assessment and Management: Identifying potential risks and developing strategies to minimize their impact.
4. Strengthening Community Resilience: Focusing on making local communities more resilient and adaptable to climate changes.

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FAQ.

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