International Policy and Initiative

Countries across the world have met together to address climate change and the best ways to mitigate its effects. On December 12th, 2015 196 parties met in Paris and adopted the Paris Agreement. The Paris Agreement is a legal international treaty on climate change with a goal to limit global warming to below 2°C, ideally 1.5°C, when compared to pre-industrial levels in countries. Countries around the planet are working to minimize greenhouse gas emissions in their own nations by placing low limits to emissions. Countries were to submit their plans for climate change counteraction by 2020 as per the agreement of the treaty. The treaty mandates all participating nations to lower their greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to saving the planet as well as living around the changes that global warming brings. The countries work together in financial, technical and capacity-building ways. If countries are in need of monetary donations, the UN will provide funds as well as accept help from other nations. Countries will need funds in order to mitigate climate change’s effects as well as adapt to live around it. The members of the UN also utilize technology to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve resilience to climate change. Technology provides guidance. The Paris Agreement also helps build the low capacities of nations so they can better withstand the effects of climate change. Since The Paris Agreement’s enactment, low-carbon solutions new markets have been created. More countries, regions, cities and companies have achieved carbon neutrality targets. Zero carbon solutions have been more frequent and competitive across economic areas representing 25% of emissions.