Paris Agreement

The Paris Agreement is a global treaty aiming to limit warming below 2°C, with countries submitting NDCs and updating targets every 5 years.

Paris Agreement

Syllabus: Environment – International Treaties, Climate Change (UPSC GS III)
Source: UNFCCC

Paris Agreement – Overview

The Paris Agreement is a legally binding international treaty under the UNFCCC, adopted during COP21 in Paris on 12 December 2015. It entered into force on 4 November 2016, with participation from 195 countries.

Objectives:

Limit global temperature rise to well below 2°C and pursue efforts to cap it at 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
Enhance the ability of countries to adapt to climate change.
Promote climate finance, technology transfer, and capacity building.

Key Features of the Paris Agreement

1. Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)

Countries must submit updated NDCs every 5 years, with progressively more ambitious targets.
NDCs include both mitigation (emission cuts) and adaptation actions.

2. Long-Term Strategies (LT-LEDS)

Countries are encouraged (but not obligated) to submit long-term low-emission development strategies, aligning with sustainable development priorities.

3. Finance, Technology & Capacity Building

Developed countries are required to provide financial support to developing nations.
A Technology Framework was created to support innovation and transfer of climate-friendly technologies.
Emphasis on capacity-building for developing countries to handle climate challenges.

Implementation Mechanism

1. Transparency Framework

From 2024, all countries will report their climate actions under an Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF).
Progress will be reviewed through a technical expert review and peer consultation.

2. Global Stocktake

Every five years, starting in 2023, a Global Stocktake will assess collective progress towards long-term goals.
Findings will guide nations to increase ambition in subsequent NDCs.

Scientific Urgency

According to the IPCC, exceeding the 1.5°C limit could trigger extreme climate events like severe droughts, heatwaves, and floods.
To stay within 1.5°C:

Emissions must peak before 2025
GHG emissions must fall by 43% by 2030

Achievements & Challenges

Achievements:

Rise of carbon neutrality targets and clean technology adoption.
Zero-carbon solutions are gaining competitiveness, especially in power and transport sectors.

Challenges:

Emissions continue to rise, and existing national commitments are insufficient to meet temperature goals.
Lack of enforceability, as the Agreement is non-punitive and relies on voluntary compliance.