What Was Agreed to in the Paris Agreement That Come Out of Cop 21 Held in Paris in 2015
The Paris Agreement, which came out of the 21st Conference of Parties (COP 21) held in Paris in 2015, is an international agreement on climate change. The agreement was signed by 195 countries and aims to limit global warming to below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, with a goal of pursuing efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C.
Here are some of the key agreements that were reached in the Paris Agreement:
1. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions: Countries agreed to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions to limit global warming. Each country submitted its own national plan, known as a Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), which outlines how they plan to reduce their emissions. The NDCs are reviewed and updated every 5 years to ensure that the global goals are being met.
2. Financial support: Developed countries agreed to provide financial support to help developing countries implement their NDCs and adapt to the impacts of climate change. The goal is to provide $100 billion per year by 2020 and to increase that amount in the future.
3. Transparency and accountability: The agreement includes a transparency framework that requires countries to report on their greenhouse gas emissions and progress toward their NDCs. This will help ensure that countries are holding up their end of the bargain and will allow for greater transparency in the global effort to combat climate change.
4. Adaptation: The agreement recognizes the importance of adaptation to the impacts of climate change, especially for developing countries. It encourages countries to take action to protect ecosystems, build resilience to climate change, and reduce vulnerability to its impacts.
5. Technology transfer: The agreement calls for the transfer of technology from developed to developing countries to help them reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change.
Overall, the Paris Agreement represents a significant global effort to address climate change and limit its impacts. While much work remains to be done, the agreement provides a framework for countries to work together toward a common goal and offers hope for a more sustainable future.