The Paris Agreement frequently comes up in climate discussions but is often addressed in a fragmented manner. However, this agreement was designed from the outset as a comprehensive and ambitious response, creating an international framework to accelerate global decarbonization.
Adopted on December 12, 2015, during COP21 in Paris, the Paris Agreement was signed by 196 parties, including the EU. It represents a legally binding commitment aimed at keeping global temperature rise well below 2°C, with an aspiration to limit this increase to 1.5°C.
The purpose of this article is to explore the key provisions structuring the Paris Agreement, focusing not on tactical implementation but on the articles guiding global climate action.
Main Objectives of the Paris Agreement
The Paris Agreement is built on key principles to coordinate global climate action:
Limit global warming: keep the global temperature increase below 2°C, aiming for 1.5°C.
Carbon neutrality: achieve a balance between greenhouse gas emissions and absorption by the second half of the century.
Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs): each country must submit and enhance its emission reduction goals every five years.
Financial support for developing countries: developed countries must mobilize at least $100 billion annually to help developing nations adapt and invest in low-carbon technologies.
Key Articles of the Paris Agreement
Article 2: Long-term Goals
Article 2 sets the overarching goals of the Paris Agreement, including limiting global temperature rise and promoting a transition to low-carbon economies while supporting sustainable economic development.
Article 4: Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)
Article 4 mandates that countries set emission reduction goals through NDCs, revised every five years with increasing ambition. It also encourages achieving carbon neutrality in the second half of the century.
Article 6: Mechanisms for International Cooperation
Article 6 establishes market mechanisms to facilitate international cooperation in reducing emissions. These include:
Article 6.2: allows countries to purchase emission reductions made elsewhere (ITMOs) to meet their climate goals. This mechanism operates under strict rules to prevent double counting, encouraging flexible bilateral cooperation.
Article 6.4: creates a centralized mechanism to generate carbon credits through projects in developing countries. These credits can be used by other nations to meet their NDCs. Inspired by the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), this system ensures that projects also contribute to sustainable development.
It is crucial for countries that have integrated natural ecosystem restoration in their NDCs to explicitly authorize the use of the 6.2 and 6.4 mechanisms for these technologies. Simply ratifying the Agreement does not automatically enable these mechanisms.
Article 6.8: Additionally, this article supports non-market-based approaches, such as climate philanthropy, capacity building, and technology transfer. These initiatives encourage international cooperation without financial transactions or carbon credits.
Article 8: Loss and Damage
Article 8 acknowledges that some impacts of climate change are unavoidable, particularly for vulnerable countries. It promotes international cooperation to help these countries manage loss and damage through early warning systems and financial mechanisms.
Article 9: Climate Finance
This article commits developed countries to provide financial support to developing nations, with a goal of $100 billion annually through 2025, to fund adaptation and emission reduction projects.
Article 13: Transparency and Accountability
Article 13 establishes a transparency framework to ensure countries' climate actions are measured and verified. This allows for tracking progress on NDCs and ensuring commitments are honored.
Article 14: Global Stocktake
This article mandates a global stocktake every five years to assess collective progress toward climate goals and adjust strategies based on the results.
Impacts of the Paris Agreement on Climate Policies
The Paris Agreement has transformed national and international climate policies by driving:
Alignment of national legislation: many countries have incorporated the Paris Agreement’s objectives into their laws. For example, the European Union aims for carbon neutrality by 2050.
Promotion of renewable energy: the Agreement has accelerated the transition to clean energy sources.
Green finance: Article 9 has encouraged increased investment in low-carbon projects, including through green bonds.
Adaptation and resilience: developing countries have intensified efforts to enhance resilience to climate change impacts.
Conclusion
The Paris Agreement marks a pivotal moment in the global fight against climate change by implementing concrete measures to reduce emissions and support vulnerable countries. However, achieving the goals will require increased mobilization and sustained efforts. The next global stocktake will be critical in evaluating progress and adjusting strategies.
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Source :
UNCC – Accord de Paris
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