The Paris Agreement, which was adopted in December 2015, is a landmark global treaty aimed at combating the impacts of climate change. It was signed by 196 countries and territories, including the United States, China, and the European Union.
The Paris Agreement aims to limit the increase in global temperatures to below 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels, with a goal of pursuing efforts to limit the increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit). To achieve this, it requires all countries to regularly report their greenhouse gas emissions and their efforts to reduce them.
The role of countries in the Paris Agreement is crucial. Each country is required to determine its own contributions to the global effort to combat climate change, taking into account its own national circumstances, capabilities, and priorities. These contributions are known as nationally determined contributions (NDCs).
The NDCs are submitted by each country every five years, with the first set of NDCs submitted in 2015. The NDCs are then reviewed and assessed by the international community to determine whether they are sufficient to meet the Paris Agreement`s temperature goals.
In addition to submitting NDCs, countries also play a crucial role in providing financial and technical support to other countries that are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. The Paris Agreement established the Green Climate Fund, which aims to raise $100 billion per year by 2020 to help developing countries reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change.
Developed countries are expected to provide most of this funding, with a goal of reaching a balance between the funds provided by developed and developing countries by 2020.
Finally, the Paris Agreement also recognizes the importance of transparency and accountability in achieving its goals. Countries are required to regularly report on their progress towards meeting their NDCs, and a system of international review and assessment is in place to ensure that countries are meeting their commitments.
In conclusion, the Paris Agreement represents a critical global effort to combat climate change. The role of countries in the agreement is essential, as each country is responsible for determining its own contributions to the global effort, providing financial and technical support to vulnerable countries, and ensuring accountability and transparency in achieving the agreement`s goals. By working together, countries can make a significant impact in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating the devastating impacts of climate change.