What international agreements or initiatives are in place to address greenhouse gas emissions on a global scale?
The Paris Agreement, adopted in 2015, is the primary international agreement to address greenhouse gas emissions on a global scale. It aims to limit global warming well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius. The agreement establishes Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), which outline each country’s efforts to reduce emissions. Additionally, there are initiatives like the Kyoto Protocol, Clean Development Mechanism, and Renewable Portfolio Standards that aim to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions globally.
Long answer
The Paris Agreement, an international treaty under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), is the main initiative in place to address greenhouse gas emissions globally. Adopted in 2015, it has been ratified by 189 parties as of August 2020. The agreement sets out a long-term goal of limiting global warming well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and aims for efforts to be made to limit the temperature increase even further, to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
To achieve these goals, the Paris Agreement establishes Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), which are individualized targets set by each country outlining their planned actions in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to climate change impacts. NDCs are required from all countries and are intended to be updated and enhanced every five years.
In addition to the Paris Agreement, there have been other international agreements and initiatives aimed at addressing greenhouse gas emissions on a global scale. The Kyoto Protocol was an earlier agreement adopted in 1997 with binding targets for industrialized countries to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. Although it expired in 2020, some of its mechanisms such as Joint Implementation and the Clean Development Mechanism continue under the Paris Agreement.
The Clean Development Mechanism allows industrialized countries with emission reduction commitments under the Kyoto Protocol to invest in emission-reducing projects in developing countries, thus promoting sustainable development and contributing to global emission reductions.
There are also regional and national initiatives that contribute to addressing greenhouse gas emissions globally. For example, the European Union has been at the forefront of climate action with its Emission Trading System (ETS) that puts a price on carbon emissions. Many other countries and regions have implemented ETS or cap-and-trade schemes as well.
Furthermore, various countries have adopted Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS), requiring a certain percentage of electricity to be generated from renewable sources. These initiatives help drive the deployment of renewable energy technologies on a global scale.
While the Paris Agreement serves as the primary international agreement, it is important to note that numerous bilateral agreements, partnerships, and initiatives among governments, private sectors, and non-governmental organizations also exist to collaborate on mitigating greenhouse gas emissions on a global level.