The Paris Agreement and Next Steps in Limiting Global Warming
The Paris Agreement was signed in 2016 by 195 member countries of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Its main goal is to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit it to 1.5 degrees Celsius. To achieve this, countries made voluntary pledges or Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and to adapt to the impacts of climate change. The agreement also established a system of transparency, accountability, and finance to support the implementation of these commitments.
However, five years after its adoption, the Paris Agreement is facing significant challenges. The first one is the gap between the current pledges and the required emission reductions. According to the United Nations Environment Programme`s Emissions Gap Report 2020, the world is on track for a temperature increase of 3.2 degrees Celsius by the end of the century, far above the Paris Agreement`s goals. The report also states that countries need to increase their NDCs fivefold to meet the 1.5-degree Celsius target.
The second challenge is the lack of political will, especially from major emitters such as the United States, China, and India. The Trump administration withdrew the United States from the Paris Agreement in 2019, and although President Biden has rejoined it, the country`s NDC is still insufficient to meet its fair share of the global effort. China and India, which have significant emissions, have also faced criticism for not doing enough to reduce them, despite their pledges.
The third challenge is the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, which have disrupted economies and societies and diverted attention and resources away from climate action. The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that global energy-related carbon dioxide emissions declined by 6% in 2020 but warns that the rebound in economic activity could lead to a surge in emissions if not accompanied by clean energy policies and investments.
Given these challenges, what are the next steps in limiting global warming and achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement? Here are some possibilities:
1. Increase ambition and action: Countries need to revise and submit updated and more ambitious NDCs by 2025, as required by the Paris Agreement. They also need to adopt more stringent policies and measures to reduce emissions across all sectors, including energy, transportation, industry, buildings, agriculture, and forests. They should also enhance their adaptation and resilience efforts to cope with climate impacts, particularly in vulnerable and marginalized communities.
2. Strengthen international cooperation and solidarity: The Paris Agreement is based on the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, which recognizes that developed countries have historical and current responsibilities for climate change and that developing countries need support to pursue sustainable development and climate action. Therefore, developed countries should provide financial, technical, and capacity-building assistance and transfer of technologies and know-how to developing countries, as well as debt relief and access to green and climate-friendly investments. They should also fulfill their commitments to mobilize $100 billion annually by 2020 for climate finance, which has not yet been achieved.
3. Align policies and investments with the Paris Agreement: Governments, businesses, financial institutions, and civil society should align their policies and investments with the long-term goals of the Paris Agreement and the transition to low-carbon and climate-resilient economies. This means phasing out fossil fuels, investing in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and clean technologies, promoting sustainable transport and land use, reducing deforestation and promoting reforestation and afforestation, and integrating climate risks and opportunities into decision-making processes.
4. Engage and empower citizens and stakeholders: Climate action requires the active participation and engagement of all sectors of society, including youth, women, indigenous peoples, local communities, and civil society organizations. They can contribute to raising awareness, advocating for climate policies and solutions, monitoring and reporting on progress, and implementing climate actions at the local and national levels. Governments should also ensure transparency, accountability, and access to information and participation in decision-making processes.
In conclusion, the Paris Agreement is a landmark achievement of global cooperation and commitment to addressing climate change. However, its implementation faces significant challenges and requires urgent and transformative action to limit global warming and protect the planet`s ecosystems, species, and human well-being. The next steps in limiting global warming are to increase ambition and action, strengthen international cooperation and solidarity, align policies and investments with the Paris Agreement, and engage and empower citizens and stakeholders. Let`s make sure we take these steps together, for a better and sustainable future.