Global 2: Paris Agreement 2010

Question 1

Aim

Answer 1

Also known as COP21. This approach was to get countries to ‘pledge’ emission reductions before the conference took place (the idea was to turn these pledges into legally binding goals). The aim is to keep temperature rises well below 2°C with an ambition for 1.5°C.

Question 2

How achieved

Answer 2

Scientists have suggested that avoiding a rise of 2°C will require a 50% cut in today’s global annual emissions by 2050.

Developed nations have stated that they will assist developing nations in their attempts to mitigate climate change – a figure of $100 billion per year from 2020 although this is not binding.

Question 3

evaluation +

Answer 3

Countries were allowed to set their own targets, rather than making them agree to targets that might achieve the reductions needed to avoid ‘dangerous’ climate change. Giving countries the opportunity to choose their own, meant more were interested in signing up

Question 4

evaluation -

Answer 4

Developing countries would only agree on the condition that developed countries would help them by transferring them money, technology and assistance so they could switch to renewables and lower their carbon emissions. Moreover, there are no penalties for missing targets – the deal relies on peer pressure of ‘wanting to do the right thing’.

Many studies evaluating the voluntary pledges individual countries made in Paris show that the cumulative effect of those emissions reductions won’t be large enough to keep temperatures under that cap.