Final answer:
The Paris Climate Agreement is a vital international treaty aimed at reducing global CO₂ emissions, with significant commitments from both rich and poor countries. It establishes a framework for countries to contribute based on their capabilities, aiming to prevent global warming from exceeding 2°C above pre-industrial levels. Despite challenges, 196 entities have signed the agreement, indicating a widespread global commitment to climate action.
Step-by-step explanation:
Key Approaches to the Paris Agreement
The Paris Climate Agreement, finalized in 2015, marked a significant milestone in the global effort to address climate change. Led by the initiative of the European Union and vulnerable developing nations, the agreement represented a collective endeavor of rich and poor countries to limit global CO₂ emissions. Noteworthy components of the Paris Agreement include commitments by participating countries to implement significant emission reductions, a focus on collective but differentiated responsibilities, and a flexible framework that facilitates national contributions proportionate to each country's abilities.
Under the Paris Agreement, countries committed to various strategies, such as the United States' Clean Power Plan, which aimed to reduce power plant CO₂ emissions by 32% by 2030 from 2005 levels. Despite political challenges, such as the U.S. temporarily withdrawing from the agreement under the Trump administration, the international community persevered, with the U.S. later rejoining under President Biden. The central goal of the Paris Agreement is to prevent global warming from exceeding 2°C above pre-industrial levels, with a collective aspiration to cap the temperature rise at 1.5°C, deeming it necessary for global cooperation.