Paris-Agreement Multipolarity - Part.1

The Paris Agreement is a landmark international treaty adopted in December 2015 during the 21st Conference of the Parties (COP21) under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Its primary goal is to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, with efforts to keep the increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius. The agreement marks a significant step as it brings together nearly every nation in the world to collectively address climate change by setting voluntary national targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and by enhancing global cooperation on climate action.

The formation of the Paris Agreement was the result of years of negotiation and collaboration among member countries of the UNFCCC. It replaced the Kyoto Protocol, which had more rigid binding targets but covered fewer countries. Unlike its predecessor, the Paris Agreement operates on a bottom-up approach, where each country submits its own climate action plan, called Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), reflecting their individual capabilities and circumstances. The agreement also established mechanisms for transparency, accountability, and regular review, encouraging countries to progressively increase their commitments every five years.

Currently, the Paris Agreement remains the cornerstone of global climate policy, with 190+ countries having ratified or joined it. Despite some challenges, including varying levels of commitment and political changes in major countries, the agreement has helped to mainstream climate action worldwide. Countries continue to update and enhance their NDCs to meet the urgent need for decarbonization, adaptation, and financing for vulnerable regions. The Paris Agreement also serves as a foundation for climate finance and technology transfer to developing nations, aiming to achieve a more sustainable and resilient future for the planet.