The Paris Agreement, signed in 2015, is an international treaty aimed at reducing global greenhouse gas emissions and limiting the rise in global temperature to below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. The agreement represents a united effort by 197 countries to combat climate change.
One of the key elements of the agreement is the country pledges. Each country is required to submit a plan, known as a nationally determined contribution (NDC), outlining how they will reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. These pledges are reviewed every five years, with the goal of increasing ambition over time.
The initial NDCs submitted by countries varied in scope and ambition. Some countries, such as the European Union and the United States, set targets for significant emissions reductions. Others, particularly developing countries, focused on measures such as increasing renewable energy use and enhancing forest conservation.
To date, 191 out of the 197 countries that signed the Paris Agreement have submitted NDCs. The United States, under the Trump administration, withdrew from the agreement in 2020, but President Joe Biden has since rejoined.
Some countries have already updated their NDCs ahead of the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26), to be held in Glasgow. These updated pledges include more ambitious targets for emissions reduction and greater emphasis on renewable energy and nature-based solutions.
For example, the European Union has committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels. China, the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases, has pledged to peak its emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060.
Other countries, particularly those with vulnerable populations and economies, have struggled to set ambitious targets due to limited resources and capacity. However, the Paris Agreement includes provisions for developed countries to provide financial and technological support to developing countries to help them meet their climate goals.
In order to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement, it is crucial that all countries work together and increase their ambition over time. The country pledges are an important step in this process, but it is up to governments, businesses, and individuals to take action on a daily basis to reduce their carbon footprint and mitigate the impacts of climate change.