The Paris Agreement, adopted in 2015 by all United Nations Member States, sets out a global framework to avoid dangerous climate change by limiting global warming to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, and pursuing efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C. To achieve this goal, all countries have pledged to implement low-carbon and climate-resilient plans.
The Paris Agreement has been hailed as a significant milestone in the fight against climate change, as it represents the first time that countries have come together to agree on a common framework to tackle the issue. The Agreement has been ratified by 189 countries, including all major emitters such as the United States, China, and India.
Each country has made its own commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, adapt to climate change impacts, and provide climate finance to support developing nations in their efforts. Here are some of the top commitments made by Paris Agreement countries:
China: The world`s largest emitter of greenhouse gases, China has pledged to peak its emissions by 2030 and increase the share of non-fossil fuels in primary energy consumption to around 20%.
United States: The second-largest emitter, the United States has pledged to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 26-28% below 2005 levels by 2025.
India: The world`s third-largest emitter, India has committed to reducing the emissions intensity of its GDP by 33-35% below 2005 levels by 2030, and to achieve 40% of its installed capacity from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030.
European Union: The 28 member states of the European Union have pledged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40% below 1990 levels by 2030, and to increase the share of renewable energy to at least 27% of the EU`s energy mix.
Japan: Japan has pledged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 26% below 2013 levels by 2030 and to increase the share of renewable energy to 22-24% of its energy mix.
These commitments demonstrate the significant efforts that countries are making to tackle climate change. However, some experts argue that more needs to be done to limit global warming to 1.5°C, which is the target set out in the Paris Agreement.
In conclusion, the Paris Agreement has united countries around a common goal of limiting global warming and tackling climate change. The commitments made by each country demonstrate the significant progress being made in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, adapting to climate change, and supporting developing nations. While more action is needed to achieve the 1.5°C target, the Paris Agreement represents a critical step in the right direction.