From Kyoto Protocol to Paris Agreement

The Kyoto Protocol was an international treaty signed in 1997 with the aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by industrialized countries and tackle climate change. It required 37 industrialized countries to reduce their emissions by an average of 5% from 1990 levels by the end of 2012. However, it faced criticism for not including emerging economies like China and India and for the lack of enforcement mechanisms.

In 2015, the Paris Agreement replaced the Kyoto Protocol as the leading international agreement on climate change. The agreement set a goal to limit global warming to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, with an aim of limiting it to 1.5°C. Unlike the Kyoto Protocol, the Paris Agreement included all countries, both developed and developing, and allowed them to set their own targets for reducing emissions.

One of the key aspects of the Paris Agreement was the recognition of the different needs and capacities of developed and developing countries. Developed countries agreed to provide financial support to developing countries to help them transition to a low-carbon economy and adapt to the impacts of climate change. Additionally, each country was required to submit a national climate action plan, known as a Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), outlining their specific targets and strategies for reducing emissions.

The Paris Agreement also established a framework for transparency and accountability, requiring countries to regularly report on their progress towards meeting their targets and to participate in a global stocktake every five years to assess collective progress towards the agreement`s goals.

The Paris Agreement was a significant milestone in international efforts to tackle climate change, and it represented a major shift towards a more inclusive and ambitious approach. However, it still faced challenges, including the withdrawal of the United States under the Trump administration, which has since rejoined under President Biden.

The Paris Agreement is not a perfect solution, but it represents a crucial step forward in global efforts to address the urgent threat of climate change. As the world continues to face the impacts of a changing climate, it is essential that we work together to implement effective solutions and create a more sustainable future for all.