What is Paris Agreement?
The Paris Agreement is a legally binding international treaty on climate change, adopted by 196 Parties at COP 21 in Paris, on 12 December 2015. Its overarching goal is to limit global warming to well below 2°C, preferably to 1.5°C, compared to pre-industrial levels. It requires all Parties to put forward their best efforts through nationally determined contributions (NDCs).
Why is Paris Agreement important?
The Paris Agreement is important because it represents a landmark global commitment to address climate change collectively and ambitiously. It established a universal framework for climate action, shifting from a top-down to a bottom-up approach where countries set their own targets (NDCs), fostering global cooperation and accountability towards a climate-resilient future.
Related terms
Want to explore this topic further? Browse connected glossary terms below.
Frequently asked questions
The 1.5°C target is based on scientific consensus, primarily from the IPCC, which indicates that limiting warming to this level significantly reduces the risks and impacts of climate change compared to 2°C.
It establishes an enhanced transparency framework requiring countries to regularly report on their emissions and progress towards NDCs, which are then subject to international review, promoting accountability.
NDCs are climate action plans submitted by countries, outlining their voluntary efforts to reduce national emissions and adapt to climate change. They are central to the Paris Agreement's bottom-up approach.