What is Paris Agreement Commitments?
Historical Background
Key Points
12 points- 1.
Global Temperature Goal: To hold the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
- 2.
Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs): Each country must establish NDCs, which outline their climate action goals. These NDCs are self-determined, but countries are expected to increase their ambition over time.
- 3.
Transparency Framework: A system for tracking and reporting progress on NDCs, ensuring accountability and promoting trust among parties.
- 4.
Adaptation: Enhancing adaptive capacity, strengthening resilience, and reducing vulnerability to climate change. This includes measures to protect communities and ecosystems from the impacts of climate change.
- 5.
Finance: Developed countries committed to mobilizing $100 billion per year by 2020 to support climate action in developing countries. This commitment is being revisited to increase financial flows.
- 6.
Loss and Damage: Addressing loss and damage associated with the adverse effects of climate change, particularly in vulnerable developing countries. This includes mechanisms for providing assistance to countries affected by climate-related disasters.
- 7.
Global Stocktake: Every five years, a global stocktake assesses collective progress towards achieving the purpose of the agreement. This helps to inform future NDCs and enhance ambition.
- 8.
Technology Transfer: Promoting the development and transfer of climate-friendly technologies to developing countries.
- 9.
Capacity Building: Supporting developing countries in building their capacity to address climate change, including through training and education.
- 10.
Cooperative Approaches: Allowing countries to cooperate in achieving their NDCs through mechanisms such as carbon trading.
- 11.
Article 6: Establishes a framework for international cooperation through carbon markets and non-market approaches to achieve emission reduction targets.
- 12.
Differentiated Responsibilities: Recognizes that developed countries have historically contributed more to greenhouse gas emissions and therefore have a greater responsibility to take the lead in reducing emissions and providing financial support.
Visual Insights
Understanding Paris Agreement Commitments
Explores the key commitments and goals outlined in the Paris Agreement, including temperature targets, NDCs, and financial assistance.
Paris Agreement
- ●Temperature Goals
- ●Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)
- ●Financial Assistance
- ●Adaptation
Recent Developments
7 developmentsThe Glasgow Climate Pact (2021) urged countries to strengthen their NDCs and phase down coal power.
The Sharm el-Sheikh Implementation Plan (2022) established a fund for loss and damage to assist vulnerable countries affected by climate disasters.
Ongoing debates about the adequacy of financial commitments from developed countries to support developing countries' climate action.
Increasing focus on adaptation measures to address the impacts of climate change, such as extreme weather events and sea-level rise.
The first global stocktake under the Paris Agreement concluded in 2023, highlighting the need for greater ambition and accelerated action to meet the agreement's goals.
Many countries are now setting net-zero targets, aiming to achieve a balance between emissions produced and emissions taken out of the atmosphere.
Increased private sector involvement in climate finance and sustainable investments.
This Concept in News
1 topicsFrequently Asked Questions
61. What is the Paris Agreement and what are its key provisions?
The Paris Agreement is an international accord adopted in 2015 to combat climate change. Its main goal is to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius, and ideally to 1.5 degrees Celsius, compared to pre-industrial levels. Key provisions include:
- •Global Temperature Goal: Limit global warming to well below 2°C and pursue efforts to limit it to 1.5°C.
- •Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs): Each country must establish NDCs outlining their climate action goals.
- •Transparency Framework: A system for tracking and reporting progress on NDCs.
- •Adaptation: Enhancing adaptive capacity and resilience to climate change.
- •Finance: Developed countries committed to mobilizing $100 billion per year by 2020 to support climate action in developing countries.
Exam Tip
Remember the temperature goals (1.5°C and 2°C) and the concept of NDCs for Prelims.
2. How does the Paris Agreement build upon the UNFCCC and the Kyoto Protocol?
The Paris Agreement builds upon the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), adopted in 1992, which established the basic framework for international climate cooperation. The Kyoto Protocol, adopted in 1997, was the first major attempt to set binding emissions reduction targets for developed countries. The Paris Agreement was negotiated to overcome the limitations of the Kyoto Protocol, such as the lack of participation from some major emitters, by including all parties in making nationally determined contributions.
Exam Tip
Understand the evolution from UNFCCC to Kyoto Protocol to Paris Agreement for a comprehensive understanding of climate governance.
3. What are the challenges in the implementation of the Paris Agreement, particularly concerning financial commitments?
One of the main challenges is ensuring that developed countries meet their financial commitments to support climate action in developing countries. The agreement states that developed countries committed to mobilizing $100 billion per year by 2020, but there are ongoing debates about the adequacy of these funds and how they are being distributed.
Exam Tip
Be prepared to discuss the North-South divide in climate finance and the challenges in fulfilling financial commitments.
4. What is the significance of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) in the Paris Agreement?
Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are at the heart of the Paris Agreement. Each country must establish NDCs, which outline their climate action goals. These NDCs are self-determined, but countries are expected to increase their ambition over time. The success of the Paris Agreement depends on the collective ambition and implementation of these NDCs.
Exam Tip
Understand that NDCs are self-determined but should reflect increasing ambition over time.
5. How has the Paris Agreement evolved since its adoption in 2015?
Since its adoption, there have been several developments, including:
- •The Glasgow Climate Pact (2021): Urged countries to strengthen their NDCs and phase down coal power.
- •The Sharm el-Sheikh Implementation Plan (2022): Established a fund for loss and damage to assist vulnerable countries affected by climate disasters.
- •Ongoing debates: Discussions continue about the adequacy of financial commitments from developed countries.
Exam Tip
Stay updated on recent climate conferences and their outcomes, like the Glasgow Climate Pact and the Sharm el-Sheikh Implementation Plan.
6. What are the frequently asked aspects of the Paris Agreement in the UPSC exam?
The Paris Agreement is highly relevant for the UPSC exam, particularly for GS-3 (Environment & Ecology) and Essay papers. Questions are frequently asked about climate change, international agreements, and India's climate action. In Prelims, expect factual questions on the agreement's goals, key provisions, and related concepts like NDCs.
Exam Tip
Focus on understanding the core principles, evolution, and current challenges of the Paris Agreement. Also, be aware of India's commitments and actions under the agreement.
Source Topic
NITI Aayog: Developed Nations Must Fill $6.5 Trillion Net-Zero Gap
Environment & EcologyUPSC Relevance
The Paris Agreement is highly relevant for the UPSC exam, particularly for GS-3 (Environment & Ecology) and Essay papers. Questions are frequently asked about climate change, international agreements, and India's climate action. In Prelims, expect factual questions on the agreement's goals, key provisions, and related concepts.
In Mains, analytical questions may focus on India's NDCs, the challenges of implementation, and the role of international cooperation. Recent years have seen an increased emphasis on climate change-related topics. When answering, focus on providing a balanced perspective, highlighting both the opportunities and challenges associated with the Paris Agreement.