The Paris Agreement of 2015 is considered a landmark agreement as it brought together nearly 200 countries in an effort to combat climate change. The European Union (EU) played a significant role in the negotiations leading up to the agreement and continues to play a vital role in its implementation.
The EU`s role in the Paris Agreement was crucial, as it represented a significant bloc of countries that had set ambitious climate targets. The EU was also one of the first regions to establish a comprehensive climate change policy in 1992, under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
During the negotiations leading up to the Paris Agreement, the EU played an active role in advocating for more ambitious climate targets, a long-term goal to limit global temperature rise to below 2°C, and a review mechanism to increase ambition over time. The EU also worked to ensure that the agreement addressed the vulnerabilities of developing countries and provided them with the necessary support to transition to a low-carbon economy.
The EU`s efforts paid off when the Paris Agreement was adopted, with the EU being one of the first regions to ratify the agreement in 2016. The Paris Agreement aims to limit global temperature rise to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C. It also calls for countries to regularly review and increase their climate targets over time.
The EU`s leadership in the Paris Agreement has continued through its implementation. The EU has set a target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 40% below 1990 levels by 2030 and has continued to advocate for more ambitious climate targets globally.
The EU also plays a significant role in providing financial and technical support to developing countries to help them transition to a low-carbon economy and adapt to the impacts of climate change. The EU has committed to providing €100 billion per year in climate finance by 2020, with half of that amount earmarked for adaptation measures.
In conclusion, the EU played a crucial role in the Paris Agreement of 2015 and continues to play a vital role in its implementation. The EU`s advocacy for more ambitious climate targets, its commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and its support for developing countries show that it is committed to taking real action to combat climate change. The EU`s leadership is crucial in ensuring that the world takes the necessary steps to limit global temperature rise and preserve a habitable planet for future generations.