Paris Agreement Origin

The Paris Agreement is a historic accord aimed at mitigating the impacts of climate change. It was adopted on December 12, 2015, during the 21st Conference of Parties (COP21) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) held in Paris, France. The agreement is the culmination of years of negotiations and consultation among governments, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders.

The Paris Agreement was born out of the recognition that climate change is one of the most pressing global issues of our time. The accord sets out a global framework to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius. The agreement also seeks to enhance the ability of countries to adapt to the adverse impacts of climate change and to make finance flows consistent with a pathway towards low greenhouse gas emissions and climate-resilient development.

The Paris Agreement builds on previous international climate agreements, including the Kyoto Protocol of 1997, which required developed countries to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. However, the Kyoto Protocol only covered a limited number of countries, and the emissions reductions targets were not legally binding. In contrast, the Paris Agreement is a universal agreement that covers all countries, and the emissions reductions targets are legally binding under international law.

The origin of the Paris Agreement can be traced back to the launch of the UNFCCC in 1992. The UNFCCC is a treaty signed by nearly all countries of the world that sets out a framework for cooperation to tackle climate change. Since the adoption of the UNFCCC, there have been numerous rounds of negotiations and conferences aimed at strengthening the treaty and finding ways to address the growing threat of climate change.

The most significant of these conferences was the 15th Conference of Parties (COP15) held in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 2009. COP15 was seen as a critical moment for the international community to agree on a new global framework for addressing climate change. However, negotiations at COP15 broke down, and the conference ended without an agreement.

In the aftermath of COP15, it became clear that a new approach was needed to secure a global agreement on climate change. This led to the establishment of the Durban Platform for Enhanced Action in 2011, which set out a roadmap for negotiations that would result in a new climate agreement.

The Paris Agreement is the culmination of the Durban Platform negotiations, which took place over several years leading up to COP21 in 2015. The agreement represents a significant breakthrough in global climate action and highlights the importance of international cooperation in tackling the challenges of climate change.

In conclusion, the Paris Agreement is an essential milestone in the ongoing fight against climate change. Its origins can be traced back to the launch of the UNFCCC in 1992, and it represents the culmination of years of negotiations and efforts to secure a global agreement on climate change. The Paris Agreement is a testament to the power of international cooperation in addressing global challenges and provides a framework for a sustainable and resilient future for all.