The Paris Agreement Numbers: Understanding the Climate Change Accord
The Paris Agreement, adopted in December 2015, is a landmark accord among almost 200 nations that aims to limit global warming to below 2 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels. The agreement sets out an ambitious global action plan to tackle climate change and mitigate its impacts. In this article, we`ll take a closer look at some of the key Paris Agreement numbers that you should know.
1.5 Degrees Celsius
One of the most significant goals of the Paris Agreement is to limit global warming to below 2 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels. However, the accord also aims to keep the increase below 1.5 degrees Celsius, which is considered a safer target for preventing the most severe impacts of climate change.
$100 Billion
Developed countries have committed to providing at least $100 billion annually in climate finance to developing countries by 2020 to help them reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change.
2020
2020 is an important year for the Paris Agreement, as it marks the deadline for countries to submit their updated nationally determined contributions (NDCs) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). NDCs are the national plans that outline how each country will reduce its greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change.
2050
The Paris Agreement sets out a long-term goal of achieving a balance between anthropogenic emissions by sources and removals by sinks of greenhouse gases in the second half of the century. This means that by 2050, the world should be emitting no more greenhouse gases than it is removing.
Net-zero Emissions
The Paris Agreement calls on countries to achieve net-zero emissions by the second half of the century. This means that any greenhouse gas emissions must be balanced by an equivalent amount of removals from the atmosphere in order to limit global warming to below 2 degrees Celsius.
Conclusion
The Paris Agreement is a significant global accord that aims to tackle climate change and mitigate its impacts. The key numbers outlined in this article highlight the ambitious goals of the agreement and the urgent need to take action on climate change. As we approach the deadline for countries to submit their updated NDCs in 2020, it is vital that we continue to work together to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect our planet for future generations.
