Paris Agreement Summary

The Paris Agreement has, as a main goal, to keep global average

temperature increase well below 2C and, in the best case, to limit it below
1.5 C. Additionally, it seeks to increase the ability to adapt to the severe impacts of
climate change and lower greenhouse gas emissions, in a way that does not
threaten food production. The signing parties acquire the commitment to present
advancement reports within stipulated periods of time.
According to Article 4 of the Agreement, the agreement recognizes that
Developing countries should take the lead in reducing greenhouse gases emissions
through science implementation, achieving a balance between anthropogenic
emissions by sources and removals by sinks of greenhouse gases in the second half
of this century. Developing countries must concentrate their efforts in mitigation
activities, while Developed countries must lead by achieving economy-wide
absolute emission reduction targets. Developing countries, if possible, should also
undertake this target.
Every five years, each signing party must communicate nationally
determined contributions, which will be recorded in a public registry maintained by
the secretariat.
Parties must conserve and enhance sinks and reservoirs of greenhouse
gases. Additionally, parties recognize that adaptation is a global challenge faced by
all, being a key component of the long-term global response to climate change,
protecting people, livelihoods and ecosystems. Parties recognize that, through
greater levels of mitigation activities and results, adaptation efforts are required in
less quantities. Greater adaptation need require greater adaptation costs.
Adaptation efforts must follow a country-driven, participatory and fully transparent
approach, taking into consideration vulnerable groups and ecosystems. Adaptation
efforts should implement the best technological advancements available, in addition
to traditional and indigenous knowledge, with an integrated perspective.
Signing parties take into consideration the Cancun Adaptation Framework.
The Framework requires that countries share information, good practices and
experiences, strengthen institutional arrangements, scientific knowledge on climate,
and assist developing countries in identifying adaptation needs and priorities.
The United Nations is committed to aid parties in achieving the goals set by
the Cancun Adaptation Framework. Each party should submit and update priorities,
implementation and support needs, plans and actions, without creating additional
burden to developing countries. This should be recorded in a public registry.
Parties recognize the importance of averting, minimizing and addressing loss
and damage associated with the effects of climate change, including extreme
weather events and slow onset events. Sustainable development must reduce the
risk of loss and damage.

According to the Warsaw International Mechanism, Parties should cooperate

to loss and damage prevention and reduction actions. Areas of cooperation may
include early warning systems, emergency preparedness, slow onset events, events
that may involve irreversible and permanent loss and damage, comprehensive risk
assessment and management, risk insurance facilities, climate risk pooling and
other insurance solutions, non-economic losses, resilience of communities,
livelihoods and ecosystems.
Developed countries are committed to provide financial resources to assist
both mitigation and adaptation activities. Other parties can provide such aid
voluntarily, and are encouraged to do so. In order to provide financial resources,
Developed countries must take into consideration country-drive strategies and the
priorities and needs of developing countries (small island developing states and
least developed countries are prioritized).
Biennially, Developed Countries must communicate the amount and condition
of their support to Developing countries.
Parties recognize the importance of technological development in order to
improve climate change resilience and reduce greenhouse emissions, strengthening
cooperative actions on technology development and transfer. Parties can accelerate
and encourage innovation through financial means or technological cooperation.
Parties shall cooperate in taking measures to enhance climate change
education, training, public awareness, public participation and public access of
information.
The Conference of the Parties shall periodically take stock of the
implementation of this agreement in order to assess collective progress towards
achieving the purpose of this agreement.
The Paris Agreement enters into force thirty days after the date in which at
least 55 Parties (accounting for at least 55% of the global greenhouse emissions)
have deposited their instruments for ratification, acceptance, approval or accession.
At any time, after three years from the date in which the Agreement entered
into force, any signing party may withdraw through a written notification. The
withdrawal takes place after one year of the submission of the written notification.