Paris Agreement/COP21

The Paris Agreement is an agreement among the leaders of more than 170 countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and limit the global temperature increase to below 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 F) above pre-industrial levels by the year 2100. Ideally, the agreement aims to keep the increases to below 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 F). The agreement is also called the 21st Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

The two-week conference leading to the agreement was held in Paris in December 2015. As of November 2017, 195 UNFCCC members have signed the agreement, and 174 have become party to it. The Paris Agreement is a replacement for the 2005 Kyoto Protocol.

One of the most significant results of the Paris Agreement 2015 was that both the United States and China initially signed on although the United States has since reneged. Together, the U.S. and China are responsible for approximately 44% of global emissions: 30% attributable to China and 14% attributable to the United States. All signatories agreed to the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions due to rising temperatures and other risks that affect the entire world. Another significant component of the agreement is that it includes countries that rely upon revenue from oil and gas production.

Each country that attended the 21st Conference of the Parties agreed to cut its emissions by a particular percent based on a base year’s emission’s level. The United States, for example, promised to cut its emissions by up to 28% from 2005 levels. These promises are called intended nationally determined contributions. It was decided that each participating country would be allowed to determine its own priorities and targets since each country has different circumstances and a different capacity to undertake change.

On June 1, 2017, United States President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. would withdraw from the 2015 Paris Agreement. Trump reasoned that the Paris accord would undermine the domestic economy and place the nation at a permanent disadvantage. The United States's withdrawal cannot occur before Nov. 2, 2020 according to Article 28 of the Paris Agreement. Until then, the United States may have to meet its commitments under the agreement, such as reporting its emissions to the United Nations.

The decision by the United States to withdraw was met with widespread condemnation from citizens in the United States and worldwide, religious organizations, businesses, political leaders, scientists and environmentalists. Despite the withdrawal, several U.S. state governors have formed the United States Climate Alliance and have pledged to continue to adhere to and advance the Paris Agreement. 

For the agreement to be enacted, at least 55 countries representing at least 55% of global emissions were required to join. The agreement opened for formal commitment in April 2016 and closed in April 2017. After a country’s leader decided to join the agreement, domestic government approval or the passing of a domestic law was required for that nation to officially participate. The participation of these major players and China was key to meeting the 55 percent mark since the original 24 countries that ratified the agreement only contributed to approximately 1% of global emissions.

Environmental groups, while supportive, have cautioned that the agreement is not sufficient to prevent catastrophic global warming because countries’ carbon emissions reduction pledges will not be sufficient to meet temperature goals. Other criticisms relate to disagreements over climate change science and the agreement’s ability to address climate change-related losses in the most vulnerable countries, such as most African countries, many South Asian countries, and several South and Central American countries.

Signatories are encouraged to develop renewable energy sources and build infrastructure such as sea walls to mitigate the effects of global warming. Every five years, companies must report on their progress toward and plans for cutting greenhouse gas emissions. The Paris Agreement also requires developed countries to send $100 billion a year to developing countries starting in 2020, when the agreement becomes effective. This amount will increase over time.