What are the key international agreements and treaties related to achieving Net Zero emissions?

The key international agreements and treaties related to achieving Net Zero emissions include the Paris Agreement, Kyoto Protocol, and Montreal Protocol.

Long answer

The Paris Agreement is a landmark global treaty adopted in 2015 under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Its objective is to limit global warming well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius. The agreement aims to achieve this by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, including net zero emissions, through nationally determined contributions (NDCs) submitted by each participating country.

The Kyoto Protocol, which came into force in 2005, is an international treaty under the UNFCCC that set binding emission reduction targets for developed countries for the period 2008-2012. While it does not specifically mention “net zero” emissions, it focuses on emission reductions and identifies various mechanisms like Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and Joint Implementation (JI) as means for countries to achieve their commitments.

The Montreal Protocol is an international environmental agreement aimed at protecting the ozone layer by phasing out the production and use of ozone-depleting substances like chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). Although its primary focus is not directly related to net zero emissions, it indirectly contributes towards achieving it by promoting the adoption of alternative technologies that have lower greenhouse gas emissions.

These three agreements play crucial roles in advancing global efforts towards achieving net zero emissions. The Paris Agreement sets the overall framework and goal for nations’ climate action plans. The Kyoto Protocol has established a precedent for legally binding emission reduction targets for developed countries before transitioning into broader mitigation efforts. Lastly, the Montreal Protocol demonstrates how international cooperation can bring about significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions through technology transitions. However, it’s important to note that additional initiatives and agreements may exist at regional or national levels that also contribute to the objective of achieving net zero emissions.