Countries Under the Paris Agreement: A Comprehensive Guide
The Paris Agreement is a landmark international treaty aimed at reducing global greenhouse gas emissions and curbing the worst effects of climate change. Signed by 196 countries in 2015, the agreement sets a global goal of limiting global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, while pursuing efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
Under the Paris Agreement, each country is required to submit a nationally determined contribution (NDC), outlining its own climate action plan and commitment to reducing emissions. These NDCs are then reviewed and updated every five years to ensure that countries are on track to meet their targets.
So, which countries are under the Paris Agreement? Here’s a comprehensive guide:
1. All 197 Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) are under the Paris Agreement. This includes 196 countries and the European Union.
2. The United States, which withdrew from the Paris Agreement in 2020 under the Trump administration, rejoined the agreement in February 2021 under the Biden administration.
3. Syria, which was not a party to the UNFCCC, joined the Paris Agreement in 2017.
4. Nicaragua, which originally refused to sign the Paris Agreement because it believed the agreement did not go far enough in addressing climate change, eventually joined in 2017.
5. Eritrea, which is not a significant greenhouse gas emitter, is the only UNFCCC party that has not signed the Paris Agreement.
It’s important to note that while all countries are under the Paris Agreement, their commitments and contributions vary widely. Developed countries, which have historically emitted the majority of greenhouse gases, are expected to take the lead in reducing emissions and providing financial and technical support to developing countries.
In addition, the Paris Agreement recognizes that vulnerable countries, particularly small island states and least developed countries, are disproportionately affected by climate change and require special attention and support.
In conclusion, the Paris Agreement is a global effort to address the urgent issue of climate change. While all countries are under the agreement, their contributions and responsibilities differ. The success of the Paris Agreement depends on the collective efforts of all countries to reduce emissions, increase resilience, and protect the planet for future generations.