As the world grapples with the existential threat of climate change, international agreements have become a crucial tool in the fight against global warming. From the Kyoto Protocol to the Paris Agreement, these agreements have brought nations together in a shared effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the worst impacts of climate change.
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One of the earliest and most influential international agreements on climate change was the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), signed in 1992. This convention set out a framework for governments to work together to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system. The UNFCCC also established the principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities,” which recognizes that developed countries have a greater responsibility to reduce their emissions due to their historical contributions to climate change.
The Kyoto Protocol, adopted in 1997, was the first international agreement to set binding targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The protocol required developed countries to reduce their emissions by an average of 5% below 1990 levels by 2008-2012. While the Kyoto Protocol was not without its flaws – it did not include developing countries in its emissions reductions targets, for example – it marked an important milestone in the development of international climate policy.
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Fast forward to 2015, and the Paris Agreement was born. This landmark agreement brought together almost 200 countries in a shared commitment to limit global warming to well below 2°C (3.6°F) above pre-industrial levels, and pursue efforts to limit it to 1.5°C (2.7°F). The Paris Agreement also introduced a new mechanism for countries to communicate their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), which outline their plans for reducing emissions and adapting to the impacts of climate change.
But the Paris Agreement is not just a symbolic gesture – it has real-world implications. For example, countries that signed the agreement are committed to reviewing and strengthening their NDCs every five years, which will help to drive progress towards the agreement’s goals. The agreement also establishes a global stocktake every five years, which will assess the collective progress of countries towards the agreement’s goals and identify areas for improvement.
So, what’s the progress been like so far? Well, the good news is that many countries have made significant strides in reducing their greenhouse gas emissions. For example, the European Union has reduced its emissions by 23% since 1990, while China has increased its renewable energy capacity to over 700 gigawatts. The bad news is that the world is still not on track to meet the Paris Agreement’s goals. In 2020, global emissions were at a record high, and the world is still short of the emissions reductions needed to limit warming to 1.5°C.
Despite these challenges, international agreements on climate change remain a vital tool in the fight against global warming. By bringing countries together and establishing a shared framework for action, these agreements have helped to drive progress and build momentum towards a low-carbon future. As the world looks to the future, one thing is clear: the heat is on, and international agreements will be crucial in bending the curve on climate change.
