The Paris Climate Deal to stop global warming has been adopted. The representatives of 195 nations reached a landmark accord that will commit nearly every country to lowering planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions to help stave off the most drastic effects of climate change. The deal represents a historic breakthrough on an issue that has foiled decades of international efforts to address climate change. Traditionally, such pacts have required developed economies, such as the United States, to take action to lower greenhouse gas emissions, but they have exempted developing countries, such as China and India, from such action. The accord, which UN diplomats have been working toward for nine years, changes that dynamic by requiring action in some form from every country, rich or poor.
Scientists and leaders said the talks here represented the world’s last, best hope of striking a deal that would begin to avert the most devastating effects of a warming planet. With 2015 forecast to be the hottest year on record, world leaders and scientists had said the accord was vital for capping rising temperatures and averting the most calamitous effects of climate change. Without urgent action, mankind faced increasingly severe droughts, floods and storms, and rising seas that would engulf islands and coastal areas populated by hundreds of millions of people.
Key Points To Note
LONG-TERM GOAL
The long-term objective of the agreement is to make sure global warming stays ”well below” 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) and to ”pursue efforts” to limit the temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit).
EMISSIONS TARGETS
In order to reach the long-term goal, countries agreed to set national targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions every five years. More than 180 countries have already submitted targets for the first cycle beginning in 2020.
REVIEWING TARGETS
The initial targets won’t be enough to put the world on a path to meet the long-term temperature goal. So the agreement asks governments to review their targets in the next four years and see if they can ”update” them.
TRANSPARENCY
There is no penalty for countries that miss their emissions targets. But the agreement has transparency rules to help encourage countries to actually do what they say they will do. The agreement says all countries must report on their emissions and their efforts the reduce them. But it allows for some ”flexibility” for developing countries that ”need it.”
MONEY
The agreement says wealthy countries should continue to offer financial support to help poor countries reduce their emissions and adapt to climate change. It also encourages other countries to pitch in on a voluntary basis.
LOSS AND DAMAGE
In a victory for small island nations threatened by rising seas, the agreement includes a section recognizing ”loss and damage” associated with climate-related disasters. A footnote specifically stated that loss and damage does not involve liability or compensation.
