The Paris Agreement, signed in December 2015 by 195 countries, is a landmark international climate agreement aimed at limiting global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. While the agreement represents a major step forward in the fight against climate change, there is growing concern about whether or not it is achievable.
The Paris Agreement is based on the principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities.” This means that while all countries are responsible for reducing emissions, developed countries have a greater responsibility to take action because of their historical contributions to climate change and their higher levels of economic development. The agreement also recognizes the need for financial support from developed countries to help developing countries transition to low-carbon economies.
The Paris Agreement sets a long-term goal of reaching net-zero emissions in the second half of this century. To achieve this, countries are required to submit nationally determined contributions (NDCs) outlining their plans to reduce emissions. These plans are intended to be updated every five years and strengthened over time.
While the Paris Agreement has been widely hailed as a significant achievement, there are concerns that it may not be achievable. The first concern is that the commitments made by countries in their NDCs are not sufficient to meet the goals of the agreement. According to a report by the United Nations Environment Programme, the commitments made by countries in their NDCs are only expected to reduce emissions by about one-third of what is needed to limit global warming to 2 degrees Celsius.
Another concern is that the United States, one of the largest emitters in the world, has withdrawn from the Paris Agreement. While President-elect Joe Biden has pledged to rejoin the agreement when he takes office in January 2021, the four years of US inaction on climate change could make it much more difficult to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement.
Finally, there is the question of whether or not countries will be able to follow through on their commitments. The Paris Agreement is a voluntary agreement, and there are no penalties for countries that do not meet their targets. This means that there is a risk that some countries may not take sufficient action to reduce their emissions, especially if they face economic or political challenges.
In conclusion, while the Paris Agreement is a significant step forward in the fight against climate change, there is growing concern that it may not be achievable. The commitments made by countries in their NDCs are not sufficient to meet the goals of the agreement, the US has withdrawn from the agreement, and there is a risk that some countries may not take sufficient action. However, many countries and businesses are taking significant steps to reduce emissions, and there is still hope that the goals of the Paris Agreement can be achieved if there is sufficient political will and collaboration.