What policies and international agreements are in place to address the challenges posed by the Greenhouse Effect and global warming?
The main international agreement addressing the challenges posed by greenhouse gas emissions and global warming is the Paris Agreement. Under this agreement, countries have committed to reducing their greenhouse gas emissions to limit global temperature increase well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. Other policies and agreements include the Kyoto Protocol, which aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions from developed countries, as well as various national policies and initiatives implemented by countries around the world.
Long answer
The most significant international agreement addressing the challenges posed by greenhouse gas emissions and global warming is the Paris Agreement. It was adopted in 2015 under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and has been ratified by almost all nations globally. The primary goal of the Paris Agreement is to limit global temperature increase well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and pursue efforts to limit it even further to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
To achieve these temperature limits, countries submitting their national climate action plans known as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) is a key component of the Paris Agreement. These NDCs outline each country’s planned measures to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and facilitate adaptation efforts. Additionally, developed countries are expected to provide financial resources to assist developing nations in both mitigation and adaptation actions.
Another important international agreement related to climate change is the Kyoto Protocol, which was adopted in 1997 but has largely been replaced by the Paris Agreement. The Kyoto Protocol imposed legally binding targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions for developed countries only, committing them to reduce their overall emissions by specific percentages compared to their 1990 levels.
Apart from these major agreements, several other policies and initiatives have emerged at national and regional levels. Countries worldwide have taken individual domestic actions such as implementing carbon pricing mechanisms, setting renewable energy targets, promoting energy efficiency measures, and investing in research and development of low-carbon technologies.
Numerous regional agreements also exist, like the European Union Emissions Trading System (EU ETS), which is the largest carbon trading scheme around the world. The EU ETS puts a cap on emissions from various sectors and allows companies to buy or sell emission allowances.
Furthermore, organizations such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) provide scientific assessments and recommendations that inform policymakers worldwide about climate change impacts and possible mitigation measures.
Addressing global warming and mitigating its impacts require concerted efforts at both international and national levels. The Paris Agreement forms a crucial framework for countries to work together in combating climate change, while other policies and initiatives contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to a changing climate.