5 Things to Know about the Paris Agreement [fr]
In 2015, the first-ever legally binding global climate change agreement was adopted: the Paris Agreement. Let’s review five of its key features.
5 key points of the Paris Agreement!
A historic text ratified by 194 states
On December 12, 2015, a historic text for our planet was adopted: it was then signed, at the UN, by 196 countries, including 175 in a single day. A record! The Agreement officially came into force on November 4, 2016. As of today, 194 states have ratified it.
Contain the temperature rise
With the Paris Agreement is a the signatory states are committed towards concrete actions. Together, they must contain the temperature rise to well below 2 degrees while continuing to work to keep it at 1.5 degrees Celsius.
Like France, which launched its Climate Plan in 2017, countries are called upon to formulate development strategies with low greenhouse gas emissions.
A system for monitoring these national commitments is also provided for in the Agreement. Starting 2023, a Global Review carried out every five years will allow to assess and converge national strategies.
To achieve carbon neutrality
To achieve the objectives of the Agreement, the signatory states are called upon to achieve carbon neutrality as quickly as possible (Article 4). To do so, a balance must be found between greenhouse gas emissions and the compensation allowed by carbon reservoirs or sinks, such as forests.
In June 2021, the European Parliament adopted the European Climate Law, which enshrines in European legislation the objective of carbon neutrality by 2050. And, today, many countries are embarking on their own developing ambitious plans.
The financial commitment of developed countries
The Paris Agreement is also built around a major principle: financial commitment of developed countries. Since 2020, developed States have to pay 100 billion dollars each year in favor of the countries most vulnerable to climate change through the Green Climate Fund, which was created in 2009.
Since 2015, initiatives have multiplied to mobilize green and sustainable finance for developing countries. In 2017, the first edition of the One Planet Summit took place in Paris and in 2020, the first Global Summit of Public Development Banks was organized by the French Development Agency (no less than 450 banks are committed to aligning their financial strength with the Paris Agreement.)
The integration of civil society
The Action Agenda , adopted in 2016, brings together civil society initiatives from 180 countries. Since 2015, High Level Champions have also been appointed, with the aim of building bridges between governments and the actions of civil society.
To find the Paris Agreement in its entirety, click here.