The Paris Climate Agreement, adopted in 2015, represents a monumental global effort to combat climate change. Signed by 194 parties, including nearly every country and the European Union, this accord is a cornerstone of international climate policy. Its primary goal is to limit global temperature rise to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, with an aspirational target of capping it at 1.5°C. This target isn’t arbitrary; it reflects scientific consensus on the thresholds at which climate impacts become increasingly catastrophic.
Scientists warn that every fraction of a degree matters. With each 0.1°C of warming, the world faces amplified risks: longer heatwaves, more intense storms, devastating wildfires, and rising sea levels. At 1.5°C of warming, the impacts are severe but manageable. Beyond this, changes become increasingly irreversible and life-threatening.
For example, warming of 2°C instead of 1.5°C could lead to:
- Hotter extremes: Average temperatures during heatwaves could rise by an additional degree Celsius, severely affecting agriculture and human health.
- Higher sea levels: An additional 0.1 meters of sea-level rise would endanger 10 million more people through frequent flooding.
- Ecosystem collapse: Over 99% of coral reefs might vanish, compared to 70-90% at 1.5°C, devastating marine biodiversity.
The Paris Agreement sets out specific goals:
Limiting Temperature Rise: Countries pledged to make efforts to keep warming to 1.5°C, while committing to remain “well below” 2°C.
Achieving Net Zero: A balance between greenhouse gas emissions and their removal must be achieved by the second half of the century.
National Targets: Each nation is responsible for setting and updating its emissions reduction goals every five years.
Climate Finance: Wealthier nations pledged to provide financial support to help developing countries transition to greener economies and adapt to climate impacts.
Despite these promises, current policies put the world on a path to warming of 2.6–2.8°C by 2100. Although net-zero pledges could lower this to 1.9°C, countries need stronger action to achieve these goals.
The Paris Agreement also emphasized climate justice. Richer countries committed to providing $100 billion annually by 2020 to support developing nations. While this target was missed initially, it was finally met in 2022. A new goal of $300 billion annually by 2035 has been established, alongside a loss and damage fund to help vulnerable nations recover from climate-related disasters. However, many developing nations consider this support insufficient given the scale of the crisis.
As the planet edges closer to breaching the 1.5°C threshold, urgent action is required. The Paris Agreement remains a beacon of hope, but its success depends on countries transforming promises into policies. The choices we make today will determine the climate legacy we leave for future generations.
