The Paris Agreement is an international agreement that was adopted by the United Nations in December 2015. Its primary goal is to combat climate change and limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, with a target of limiting the increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius. The agreement sets out a framework for nations to take action and work together towards this goal. In this article, we will look at the key points of the Paris Agreement as they relate to the UPSC.
1. Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)
Under the Paris Agreement, each participating nation is required to submit its own Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to the United Nations. These are essentially their individual plans for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to the impacts of climate change. The NDCs are intended to be updated every five years to reflect progress made towards meeting the agreement`s goals.
2. Transparency and accountability
The Paris Agreement emphasizes transparency and accountability among participating nations. Each country is required to regularly report on its progress towards meeting its NDCs. This information will be made publicly available, and countries will be subject to a review process to ensure they are meeting their commitments.
3. Financial support for developing countries
The Paris Agreement recognizes the need for financial support to help developing countries reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change. Developed countries have committed to providing $100 billion per year in climate finance to developing countries, with the aim of increasing this amount over time.
4. Mitigation and adaptation
The Paris Agreement recognizes that both mitigation (reducing greenhouse gas emissions) and adaptation (adjusting to the impacts of climate change) are necessary in the fight against climate change. The agreement encourages nations to prioritize both of these actions in their NDCs.
5. Technology transfer and capacity-building
The Paris Agreement recognizes the need for technology transfer and capacity-building in developing countries. Developed countries are encouraged to assist developing countries in implementing climate-friendly technologies and building their capacity to adapt to the impacts of climate change.
In conclusion, the Paris Agreement is a critical international effort to combat climate change. It sets out a framework for nations to work together towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to the impacts of climate change. For UPSC aspirants, it is important to understand the key points of the agreement, as questions on this topic may arise in the exam.