2 minScientific Concept
Scientific Concept

Paris Agreement

What is Paris Agreement?

The Paris Agreement is a legally binding international treaty on climate change, adopted by 196 Parties at COP21 in Paris on 12 December 2015 and entered into force on 4 November 2016. Its goal is to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius, preferably to 1.5 degrees Celsius, compared to pre-industrial levels.

Historical Background

The Agreement was a landmark achievement following years of negotiations under the UNFCCC, succeeding the Kyoto Protocol. It marked a shift from a top-down approach to a bottom-up, nationally determined contribution (NDC) approach, involving all countries in climate action.

Key Points

8 points
  • 1.

    Long-term Temperature Goal: Limit global average temperature increase to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, and pursue efforts to limit it to 1.5°C.

  • 2.

    Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs): Each country sets its own climate action targets, which are reviewed and enhanced every five years.

  • 3.

    Global Stocktake (GST): A mechanism to periodically assess the collective progress towards the Agreement's long-term goals, occurring every five years.

  • 4.

    Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF): Requires countries to report regularly on their emissions and implementation efforts.

  • 5.

    Climate Finance: Developed countries are urged to provide financial resources to assist developing countries with both mitigation and adaptation.

  • 6.

    Adaptation: Establishes a global goal on adaptation to enhance adaptive capacity, strengthen resilience, and reduce vulnerability to climate change.

  • 7.

    Loss and Damage: Acknowledges the importance of averting, minimizing, and addressing loss and damage associated with the adverse effects of climate change.

  • 8.

    Technology Transfer and Capacity Building: Promotes international cooperation in these areas to support climate action in developing countries.

Recent Developments

4 developments

The first Global Stocktake concluded at COP28 (2023), assessing collective progress and identifying gaps.

Discussions on setting a new collective quantified goal on climate finance beyond 2025.

Countries are preparing for the next round of NDCs, expected by 2025, informed by the GST outcomes.

Increased focus on implementing the Agreement's provisions, particularly regarding finance and adaptation.

This Concept in News

2 topics

SECL and Chhattisgarh Explore Floating Solar, Coal Gasification Projects

26 Feb 2026

The news highlights the practical implementation of the Paris Agreement's goals at the corporate level. It demonstrates how companies in the energy sector are beginning to align their business strategies with the global climate agenda. This news applies the Paris Agreement in practice by showing how specific projects contribute to reducing emissions and promoting cleaner energy. It reveals that even companies traditionally associated with fossil fuels are exploring renewable energy options. The implications of this news for the Paris Agreement's future are positive, as it suggests that the private sector is increasingly willing to invest in climate-friendly technologies. Understanding the Paris Agreement is crucial for analyzing this news because it provides the context for understanding why SECL is pursuing these projects and how they contribute to the broader global effort to combat climate change. Without this understanding, the significance of these projects might be overlooked.

Climate Collaboration: A Vital Strategy for Global Sustainability

23 Feb 2026

The news highlights the critical role of international cooperation in tackling climate change, which is the very foundation of the Paris Agreement. The agreement's success hinges on countries working together, sharing resources, and holding each other accountable. The news underscores the importance of adhering to international agreements like the Paris Agreement, as a unified global response is essential for achieving meaningful progress. The editorial's emphasis on technology transfer and financial assistance demonstrates the practical application of the Paris Agreement's provisions for supporting developing countries. Understanding the Paris Agreement is crucial for analyzing this news because it provides the context for understanding the importance of international collaboration and the mechanisms for achieving it. Without this understanding, it would be difficult to appreciate the significance of the editorial's call for strengthened partnerships and increased cooperation among nations.

Source Topic

SECL and Chhattisgarh Explore Floating Solar, Coal Gasification Projects

Environment & Ecology

UPSC Relevance

Extremely high yield for UPSC GS Paper 3 (Environment & Ecology). Essential for both Prelims (goals, mechanisms, year of adoption, key terms like NDCs, GST) and Mains (analysis of its effectiveness, challenges, India's role, future implications).

This Concept in News

2 news topics

2

SECL and Chhattisgarh Explore Floating Solar, Coal Gasification Projects

26 February 2026

The news highlights the practical implementation of the Paris Agreement's goals at the corporate level. It demonstrates how companies in the energy sector are beginning to align their business strategies with the global climate agenda. This news applies the Paris Agreement in practice by showing how specific projects contribute to reducing emissions and promoting cleaner energy. It reveals that even companies traditionally associated with fossil fuels are exploring renewable energy options. The implications of this news for the Paris Agreement's future are positive, as it suggests that the private sector is increasingly willing to invest in climate-friendly technologies. Understanding the Paris Agreement is crucial for analyzing this news because it provides the context for understanding why SECL is pursuing these projects and how they contribute to the broader global effort to combat climate change. Without this understanding, the significance of these projects might be overlooked.

Climate Collaboration: A Vital Strategy for Global Sustainability

23 February 2026

The news highlights the critical role of international cooperation in tackling climate change, which is the very foundation of the Paris Agreement. The agreement's success hinges on countries working together, sharing resources, and holding each other accountable. The news underscores the importance of adhering to international agreements like the Paris Agreement, as a unified global response is essential for achieving meaningful progress. The editorial's emphasis on technology transfer and financial assistance demonstrates the practical application of the Paris Agreement's provisions for supporting developing countries. Understanding the Paris Agreement is crucial for analyzing this news because it provides the context for understanding the importance of international collaboration and the mechanisms for achieving it. Without this understanding, it would be difficult to appreciate the significance of the editorial's call for strengthened partnerships and increased cooperation among nations.