Paris Agreement 2015

The Paris Agreement is one of the most important international treaties addressing climate change. Adopted in 2015 under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), it provides a global framework for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening climate resilience, and promoting sustainable development. 

Unlike earlier climate agreements, it encourages participation from all countries while recognising their different responsibilities and capabilities. The Agreement has become the foundation of global climate governance and continues to shape national and international climate policies.

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What Is the Paris Agreement?

The Paris Agreement is an international treaty on climate change adopted on 12 December 2015 during the 21st Conference of the Parties (COP21) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) held in Paris, France. It entered into force on 4 November 2016 after the required number of countries ratified it.

The Agreement aims to bring all countries together in a common effort to address climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, adapting to the impacts of climate change, and supporting sustainable development. It also seeks to strengthen international cooperation through climate finance, technology transfer, and capacity building.

Unlike the Kyoto Protocol, which imposed legally binding emission reduction targets mainly on developed countries, the Paris Agreement requires every Party to prepare and implement its own climate action plan known as a Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC).

Background Of The Paris Agreement

Growing scientific evidence on global warming, rising sea levels, melting glaciers, and extreme weather events highlighted the need for stronger international cooperation to combat climate change.

The first major international response came through the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), adopted at the Rio Earth Summit in 1992. The Convention established the objective of stabilising greenhouse gas concentrations and introduced the principle of Common But Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC).

The Kyoto Protocol, adopted in 1997, was the next significant step. It imposed legally binding emission reduction obligations on developed countries but did not require similar commitments from developing countries. Over time, concerns arose regarding its limited participation and effectiveness.

To create a more inclusive framework, negotiations led to the adoption of the Paris Agreement in 2015. It marked a significant shift by requiring climate action from all countries while allowing flexibility based on national circumstances.

Objectives Of The Paris Agreement

Article 2 of the Paris Agreement outlines its key objectives.

Limiting Global Temperature Rise

The primary objective is to hold the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels while pursuing efforts to limit the increase to 1.5°C. Achieving this goal is expected to significantly reduce the risks and impacts associated with climate change.

Strengthening Climate Adaptation

The Agreement seeks to improve the ability of countries to adapt to climate change by increasing resilience and reducing vulnerability. It encourages adaptation planning and supports sustainable development.

Aligning Financial Flows With Climate Goals

Another important objective is to ensure that financial investments support low greenhouse gas emissions and climate-resilient development. This includes promoting climate finance, clean technologies, and sustainable infrastructure.

Nature Of The Paris Agreement

The Paris Agreement combines legally binding procedural obligations with nationally determined climate commitments.

Countries are legally required to:

• Prepare and communicate Nationally Determined Contributions.
• Regularly update these commitments.
• Report progress under the transparency framework.
• Participate in the Global Stocktake process.

However, the Agreement does not legally require countries to achieve specific emission reduction targets. Each country independently determines the level of ambition reflected in its Nationally Determined Contributions.

Key Principles Of The Paris Agreement

Common But Differentiated Responsibilities And Respective Capabilities

This principle recognises that climate change is a shared global challenge requiring collective action. At the same time, it acknowledges that developed countries have contributed more to historical greenhouse gas emissions and possess greater financial and technological capacity to address climate change.

Equity

The Agreement is based on fairness and equity. Countries are expected to undertake climate action according to their respective capabilities and national circumstances while ensuring sustainable development.

Progression Principle

Each country’s successive Nationally Determined Contribution should represent progress beyond its previous commitment. Climate ambition is expected to increase over time rather than remain unchanged.

Highest Possible Ambition

Countries are encouraged to pursue the highest level of climate action possible based on their evolving capacities and circumstances.

Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)

Nationally Determined Contributions, commonly known as NDCs, are one of the defining features of the Paris Agreement.

An NDC is a national climate action plan prepared by each Party outlining its commitments towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to climate change.

An NDC generally includes:

• Emission reduction targets.
• Adaptation strategies.
• Climate resilience measures.
• Policies and implementation plans.
• Long-term development goals linked with climate action.

Countries are required to submit updated NDCs every five years. Each revised contribution should demonstrate greater ambition than the previous one. This flexible approach enables countries to design climate policies according to their own economic, social, and environmental priorities.

Major Features Of The Paris Agreement

Global Temperature Goal

The Agreement establishes a long-term temperature goal of keeping global warming well below 2°C while making efforts to limit it to 1.5°C.

Adaptation

Unlike earlier climate agreements that focused mainly on reducing emissions, the Paris Agreement gives equal importance to adaptation. Countries are encouraged to prepare adaptation plans, improve resilience, and reduce climate-related risks.

Climate Finance

Developed countries are expected to provide financial support to developing countries for climate mitigation and adaptation activities. Climate finance also promotes technology transfer and institutional capacity building.

Technology Development And Transfer

The Agreement encourages international cooperation in developing and sharing environmentally sound technologies. This helps developing countries adopt cleaner production methods and improve climate resilience.

Capacity Building

Many developing countries require technical expertise, institutional support, and skilled human resources to effectively implement climate policies. Capacity-building initiatives strengthen these capabilities.

Enhanced Transparency Framework

Transparency is essential for building trust among Parties. Countries regularly submit reports relating to greenhouse gas emissions, implementation of Nationally Determined Contributions, adaptation efforts, and climate finance.

These reports undergo technical expert review to improve accountability and encourage better implementation.

Global Stocktake

Every five years, Parties collectively assess global progress through a process known as the Global Stocktake.

Its objectives include:

• Evaluating collective implementation of the Agreement.
• Measuring progress towards long-term climate goals.
• Identifying implementation gaps.
• Encouraging countries to strengthen future climate commitments.

The Global Stocktake focuses on collective progress rather than evaluating individual countries for punitive purposes.

Compliance Mechanism

The Paris Agreement establishes a committee that facilitates implementation in a transparent, non-adversarial, and non-punitive manner. Instead of imposing sanctions, it supports countries in fulfilling their obligations.

Important Articles Of The Paris Agreement

Several provisions of the Agreement play a significant role in achieving its objectives.

• Article 2 lays down the purpose and long-term objectives of the Agreement.
• Article 3 requires Parties to undertake and communicate ambitious climate action.
• Article 4 deals with mitigation efforts and Nationally Determined Contributions.
• Article 6 provides for voluntary international cooperation, including carbon market mechanisms.
• Article 7 focuses on climate adaptation.
• Article 8 recognises the importance of addressing loss and damage associated with climate change.
• Article 9 deals with climate finance.
• Article 10 promotes technology development and transfer.
• Article 11 focuses on capacity building.
• Article 13 establishes the enhanced transparency framework.
• Article 14 provides for the Global Stocktake every five years.
• Article 15 establishes the implementation and compliance mechanism.

India’s Role Under The Paris Agreement

India is an active Party to the Paris Agreement and has consistently supported international cooperation to address climate change while emphasising sustainable development and climate justice.

India’s climate policy is guided by the principle of Common But Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities. It has maintained that developed countries should continue to take the lead in reducing emissions and providing financial and technological support to developing countries.

India’s Nationally Determined Contributions focus on several important areas, including:

• Expanding renewable energy capacity.
• Reducing the emissions intensity of the economy.
• Increasing forest and tree cover.
• Promoting energy efficiency.
• Encouraging sustainable transportation.
• Enhancing climate resilience through adaptation measures.

India has also undertaken several national initiatives relating to solar energy, green hydrogen, electric mobility, afforestation, and sustainable urban development.

Paris Agreement And Kyoto Protocol: Difference

Conclusion

The Paris Agreement represents a major milestone in international environmental law and global climate governance. It establishes a comprehensive framework for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening climate resilience, promoting sustainable development, and encouraging international cooperation. 

Through principles such as Common But Differentiated Responsibilities, Nationally Determined Contributions, transparency, and periodic review, the Agreement provides a flexible yet structured approach to tackling climate change. Although significant implementation challenges remain, the Paris Agreement continues to serve as the central international framework guiding global efforts towards a more sustainable and climate-resilient future.