Global Ambitions: Understanding the Paris Agreement's Evolving Climate Blueprint
Introduction to the Paris Agreement In 2015, a significant milestone in global environmental efforts was achieved with the establishment of the Paris Agreement. This landmark accord was adopted by nearly every nation on Earth, with the central aim of addressing and combating climate change. Its primary goal is ambitious yet straightforward: to limit global warming to well below 2, preferably to 1.5 degrees Celsius, compared to pre-industrial levels. This threshold is critical to prevent the catastrophic impacts of climate change that threaten ecosystems, human health, and economies around the globe. Purpose and Meetings The Paris Agreement serves as a dynamic framework, designed to intensify over time, encouraging countries to progressively enhance their commitments to combat climate change. It operates on a 5-year cycle of increasingly ambitious climate action carried out by countries. Under the agreement, countries meet periodically in global climate summits, known as Conferences of