The Paris Climate Agreement Newsround: An Overview
The Paris Climate Agreement, also known as the Paris Agreement, is a legally binding international treaty signed by 195 countries in 2015. Its aim is to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions in order to limit the rise in global temperature to well below 2C above pre-industrial levels, with the goal of limiting the increase to 1.5C.
Since its inception, the Paris Agreement has been the subject of a great deal of news coverage, particularly as countries have made progress (or lack thereof) towards meeting the targets set out in the agreement.
Here are some of the latest developments in the Paris Climate Agreement newsround:
1. US Rejoins the Paris Agreement
In January 2021, President Joe Biden signed an executive order to rejoin the Paris Agreement, reversing his predecessor`s decision to withdraw the United States from the agreement. This move was welcomed by climate activists and leaders around the world, who had been concerned about the lack of US leadership on climate change.
2. New Climate Targets from Major Economies
Ahead of the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow in November 2021, many countries have announced new, more ambitious climate targets. In April 2021, the United States announced its plan to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 50-52% below 2005 levels by 2030. China, the world`s largest emitter, has also pledged to reach carbon neutrality by 2060.
3. Slow Progress in Meeting Targets
Despite these announcements, there are concerns that progress towards meeting the targets set out in the Paris Agreement is still too slow. The United Nations has warned that current commitments would still lead to a 3C temperature rise, which would have catastrophic consequences for the planet.
4. Need for Investment in Climate Solutions
To achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement, significant investment is needed in clean energy and other climate solutions. In May 2021, the International Energy Agency (IEA) called for a huge increase in spending on clean energy technologies, with an additional $1 trillion per year needed by 2030 to stay on track with the Paris Agreement.
In conclusion, the Paris Climate Agreement is an important international treaty aimed at reducing global greenhouse gas emissions to limit the rise in global temperature. While there have been positive developments, including the US rejoining the agreement and the announcement of new climate targets by major economies, there is still much work that needs to be done to meet the goals of the agreement and limit the impact of climate change on the planet.