When Was Paris Climate Change Agreement Signed
The Paris climate change agreement, also known as the Paris Agreement, was signed on April 22, 2016. This historic agreement was signed by 195 countries, including the United States, China, and India, and aims to combat climate change by keeping global temperature rise below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and pursuing efforts to limit the temperature increase even further to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
The Paris Agreement sets out a framework for the international community to work together towards a common goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and transitioning to a low-carbon economy. It calls for countries to regularly report on their emissions and progress towards their targets, as well as providing support to developing countries in their efforts to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change.
The agreement was the result of years of negotiations and discussions within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). It replaced the previous international climate change agreement, the Kyoto Protocol, which only covered developed countries` emissions reduction targets.
The signing of the Paris Agreement was a momentous occasion, with leaders from around the world coming together to recognize the urgent need to address climate change. However, it was only the beginning of a long road towards a sustainable future. The Paris Agreement does not have legally binding emission reduction targets and relies on voluntary commitments from countries to achieve its goals.
Since its signing, the Paris Agreement has faced challenges from some countries, particularly the United States, which announced its intention to withdraw from the agreement in 2017. However, many other countries have reaffirmed their commitment to the agreement and continued to work towards its implementation.
Overall, the Paris Agreement represents a major step forward in the global fight against climate change. It provides a framework for international cooperation and sets ambitious goals for reducing emissions and transitioning to a low-carbon economy. While there is still a long way to go in the fight against climate change, the Paris Agreement serves as a beacon of hope and a call to action for individuals, businesses, and governments around the world to take decisive steps to protect our planet for future generations.