The Paris Agreement, signed in 2015, is a landmark international treaty aimed at combatting climate change. According to the agreement, countries pledge to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, with a goal of limiting it even further to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
Recently, there have been several developments in regards to the Paris Agreement.
Firstly, the United States has officially rejoined the agreement after exiting in 2017 under the previous administration. President Joe Biden signed an executive order in January 2021, which set the process in motion for the US to rejoin. This move is significant as the US is one of the world`s largest emitters of greenhouse gases.
Secondly, the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26), originally scheduled for November 2020, has been postponed to November 2021 due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. This conference is significant as it is the first opportunity for countries to come together since the Paris Agreement was signed to assess progress made in combatting climate change and to set new goals.
Thirdly, several countries have announced new climate targets in line with the Paris Agreement. For example, Japan has pledged to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, while China has set a goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2060. The European Union has also increased its target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels.
Lastly, there has been a renewed focus on the importance of climate action in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many experts argue that the pandemic has highlighted the need for a more sustainable and resilient global economy, which can only be achieved through increased climate action.
In conclusion, the news on the Paris Agreement has been positive, with the US rejoining, new climate targets being set, and a renewed focus on the importance of climate action. However, more needs to be done to ensure that the goals of the agreement are met, and the world can successfully combat climate change.