Paris Climate Agreement 2015

Figure 1 – Annual CO2 emissions by country in 2021

Figure 1 shows how much each country is contributing towards annual CO2 emissions. It is clear that global warming is an international issue. To tackle this global crisis, it was necessary to gather support from all the nations. For this reason, the Paris Climate Agreement was created at the Paris Climate Conference (COP21) in December 2015. 196 nations came together and agreed to the terms of the agreement. The Paris Agreement is a legally binding international treaty on climate change that was adopted by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 2015. The agreement's goal is to keep the global temperature rise well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and take necessary steps to keep it below 1.5 degrees C.

The Paris Agreement has provided a framework for countries to co-operate with each other to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Under the agreement, each country must determine, plan, and regularly report on the steps they are taking to limit global warming.

The Paris Agreement has also established a financial support process for developing countries to comply with the agreement through financial assistance from developed nations for both mitigation and adaptation. The Paris Agreement came into force on 4th November 2016. It is a significant step for mankind to achieve a sustainable future. To meet our climate goals, 10 billion metric tons (referred to as tonnes) per year (GtCO2 yr−1 ) must be removed globally by 2050. After 2050 and thereafter, 20 GtCO2 yr−1 must be removed. It does not account for emissions that are avoided by decarbonation efforts. It is a steep mountain to climb.