Paris Agreement

Aim

reduce emissions of six greenhouse gases (GHGs).

Stakeholders

Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). All parties (196 countries) submit voluntary, non-binding national pledges detailing their planned emission cuts and adaptation actions, to be updated every five years with increased ambition ("ratchet mechanism").

Principle

Universality: All parties participate.

Transparency: A robust framework for tracking progress.

Climate Finance: Developed countries pledged to mobilize $100 billion/year by 2020 to assist developing nations (a target reportedly met in 2022).

evaluation

Evaluation

Successes: Unprecedented universal participation (including all major emitters: USA, China, EU, India). Created a durable, flexible, and dynamic framework that can increase ambition over time. Shifted global investment patterns towards low-carbon technologies.

Failures/Limitations: The "Ambition Gap": Even if all current NDCs are fully implemented, they project ~2.5-2.9°C of warming, missing the 1.5°C goal. The "Implementation Gap": Many countries are not on track to meet their own NDCs. Financing remains contentious.

Stakeholders: Balances national sovereignty with global goals. Places greater responsibility on emerging economies while maintaining support for the most vulnerable (e.g., Small Island Developing States - SIDS).