The climate agreement is, in simple terms, a pact between countries to address the global issue of climate change. The most well-known climate agreement is the Paris Agreement, signed in December 2015 by 195 countries.
The Paris Agreement`s goal is to limit global temperature increase to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, and to pursue efforts to limit the increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius. To achieve this goal, countries pledged to take action to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, which are the main cause of climate change.
The Paris Agreement is a legally binding agreement, meaning that countries are obligated to follow through with their pledges. However, each country sets its own targets and timelines for reducing emissions, and there are currently no penalties for countries that fail to meet their targets.
Other climate agreements include the Kyoto Protocol, which was signed in 1997 and required developed countries to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by a certain amount by a certain date. The Kyoto Protocol expired in 2020, but its successor, the Paris Agreement, builds upon its predecessor`s efforts.
Climate agreements are essential for addressing climate change because they allow countries to work together to combat a global issue that affects the entire planet. Climate change is a complex issue that requires a global, collaborative approach, and climate agreements provide a framework for this cooperation.
In summary, a climate agreement is a pact between countries to address climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Paris Agreement is the most well-known climate agreement and is a legally binding agreement with the goal of limiting global temperature increase to well below 2 degrees Celsius. Climate agreements are essential for addressing climate change and require a global, collaborative approach.