The Paris Agreement is an international treaty adopted in 2015 under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). It aims to strengthen the global response to climate change. It establishes a framework for countries to collectively combat the impacts of global warming. The agreement sets a long-term temperature goal of keeping the global average temperature rise well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and striving to limit it to 1.5 degrees Celsius. It requires countries to submit their emission reduction targets and climate actions (Nationally Determined Contributions). The Paris Agreement plays a critical role in fostering global cooperation and guiding efforts to address climate change on a global scale.

Source: UNFCCC

Learn about the Paris Agreement to prepare for UPSC CSE General Studies. In this article on Paris Agreement UPSC we will learn the objectives, key elements, Importance, and Criticisms of the Paris Agreement.

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What is the Paris Agreement 2015?

• The Paris Agreement on Climate change is a multilateral legally binding agreement on climate change mitigation and adaptation.
• The decision to adopt the agreement took place during the 21st Conference of Parties of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in Paris
• It was adopted on 12th December 2015 and was opened for signing on 22nd April 2016.
• By 4th November 2016, enough countries had ratified the agreement for it to come into force
• There are 195 signatories to the Paris Climate Agreement on climate change.
• The Paris Agreement was envisioned in the 2009 Copenhagen Accord when it decided to assess the implementation by 2015 and ideate long-term goals
• The primary stated aim of the agreement was to bring down the global temperature levels by at least 1.5 degrees Celsius, relative to preindustrial times.
• It is guided by the principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities. It means that all states are responsible for an environmental issue like climate change, but not equally responsible. The different national capabilities and the principle of equity need to be maintained.
• The Agreement talks about reducing Carbon Dioxide emissions reductions by 20%, increasing the renewable energy market share by 20%, and increasing energy efficiency by 20%.

Objectives of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change

The objectives were drafted keeping in mind the urgent tackling of climate change, whilst ensuring a sustainable and poverty-free future. Article 2 of the Paris Climate Agreement discusses the following aims-

• Restricting the rise in global mean temperature to below 2 degrees Celsius, preferably below 1.5 degrees Celsius. The vision is to reduce the risks and impact of climate change.
• Improve resilience and reduce greenhouse gas emissions to ensure adaptability. This target seeks to balance any adverse impact on food production.
• Ensure low-cost financing for building climate resilience.

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Key Elements of the Paris Climate Agreement

Some of the important elements of the Paris agreement are discussed in the table below:

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Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)

• Article 3 of the Paris Agreement mentions Nationally Determined Contributions, which are country-wise targets for bringing down emissions and fighting climate change.
• Each country should prepare, strive to achieve, and communicate its NDCs.
• Year after year, the successive NDC projections should be higher than past NDCs, all the while considering the particular national circumstances
• Developed countries are called upon to prepare economy-wide absolute emission targets. Quantified emission targets are key to any focused action on climate change. Many international treaties have turned into mere paper as there were no quantified targets against which progress could be measured.
• The Nationally Determined Contributions should be communicated in a clear and transparent manner and as prescribed by the decisions of the Conference of Parties.
• NDCs should be communicated once every 5 years. It is adjustable within these 5 years in case of higher ambitions. Each country’s NDC should be recorded in a public registry by the Secretariat.
• Proper accounting of emission reduction should be done to present comparable and consistent data. Double counting should be avoided at all costs.
• The parties can utilize international transfer of mitigation outcomes to meet their Nationally Determined Contributions, as per Article 6 of the Paris Climate Agreement. It shall be a voluntary process.

India’s Intended Nationally Determined Contribution

• Reduce the emissions intensity (relative to GDP) by around 35%. The target year is 2030 and the base year is 2005.
• Reduce the dependence on fossil fuel-based electricity. The target is to achieve about 40% of electricity needs from renewable energy resources by 2030.
• Improve carbon sink capacity in the form of forest cover. An increase in carbon sink that can deal with more than 2.5 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide is targeted.
• India has often asserted that its contribution to the issue of climate change is limited, but its willingness to cooperate with international efforts is fair and ambitious.
• India also decided to increase its dependence on renewable energy from 35 GW in 2015 to 175 GW by 2022.
• The government has been able to nudge private and public parties to increase their investments in clean energy.
• Government-run NTPC has vowed to install 60 GW of renewable energy by 2032.
• Cochin International Airport in Kerala earned repute for being the world’s first airport to fully function on Solar Power.
• Mukesh Ambani, the Chairman of Reliance Industries committed an investment of 75000 crores to renewable energy especially solar cells, lithium batteries, hydrogen cells, etc.

India’s Current Status on Reducing CO2 Emissions

• Studies suggest India's CO2 emissions reached a record high of 2.7 GtCO₂ in 2022. This is concerning as emissions are projected to rise further due to factors like population growth and economic development.
• It's important to consider both total emissions and per capita emissions. While India's total emissions are high, its per capita emissions are significantly lower than developed nations.
• Reliance on coal-fired power plants is a major contributor.
• Despite the rise, India has made some strides in reducing emission intensity (emissions per unit of GDP) and increasing renewable energy capacity.
• The recent update to India's Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) strengthens its commitment to reducing emissions.
• Experts like Climate Action Tracker (CAT) consider India's current actions "Highly Insufficient."
• Achieving Paris Agreement goals might require more aggressive policies and faster implementation of renewable energy projects.

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Importance of the Paris Agreement

• The Paris Agreement signifies a landmark achievement in global cooperation to address climate change. It brings countries together to collectively combat the impacts of global warming.
• The agreement emphasizes both mitigation and adaptation measures. It establishes a framework for countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance resilience to climate change.
• The Paris Agreement sets a long-term temperature goal of keeping the global average temperature rise well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and striving to limit it to 1.5 degrees Celsius. This ambitious target aims to prevent catastrophic climate consequences.
• The agreement requires countries to submit their Nationally Determined Contributions. This outlines their emission reduction targets and climate actions. This transparency promotes accountability and encourages countries to progressively enhance their efforts.
• The Paris Agreement recognizes the need for financial and technological support to assist developing countries in their climate actions. It establishes mechanisms to mobilize funds and facilitate technology transfer, promoting equitable participation.

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Criticisms of the Paris Agreement

• Critics argue that the agreement's voluntary nature lacks enforceability mechanisms. This raises concerns about the actual implementation and effectiveness of the commitments made by countries.
• Some argue that the emission reduction targets submitted by countries under the agreement are not ambitious enough to achieve the long-term temperature goals.
• Critics claim that the burden of addressing climate change is disproportionately placed on developing countries. They argue that developed nations should take greater responsibility and provide more support to developing countries.
• Some critics contend that the Paris Agreement does not adequately prioritize adaptation measures. These measures are crucial for vulnerable communities facing the immediate impacts of climate change. They argue for a greater emphasis on adaptation financing and support.

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Difference Between Paris Agreement and Kyoto Protocol

The table below gives a brief comparison between the Paris Agreement and the Kyoto protocol.

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