Global warming is not a distant threat, it is manifesting itself in front of our very eyes. Societies everywhere in the world are experiencing the impacts of heat waves and devastating floods. It is against this urgent background that what is needed is a milestone in commitment-to-action as embodied in the Paris Agreement. The world has a will to cut down the global warming. Moreover, it struggles to adapt to new conditions and save the weak nations. At Progressive Climate Foundation (PCF), we share the same mission as this vision. Our actions empower the societies, mobilizate of the youth, and sustainable solutions that reflect the spirit of the Paris Climate Agreement. We are attempting to make pledges a reality through balancing global commitments and domestic performance.
What is the Paris Agreement?
The Paris Agreement was voted on 12 December 2015, during COP21 in Paris as a subset of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). It took effect on November 4, 2016, once at least 55 countries ratified this, and the aggregate is responsible for 55 percent of the greenhouse gas emissions in the world. Its main aim is to limit the rise in global temperature to less than 2 °C above pre-industrial levels. The target is 1.5 °C, which researchers warn is a tipping point of alleviating severe climatic impacts. Additionally, it aims at achieving net zero in the second half of the 21st century.
How the Paris Agreement Works?
In comparison with older treaties, Paris Agreement is loosely and vaguely constructed with Nationally determined contributions (NDCs). Each country will make its own climate action plan which will determine how that country will manage to cut its emission and reverse climatic changes. Countries revise their NDCs every five years. Each round that follows must be more ambitious. The progress reports should be managed openly, and in a global accountable manner. It is one of the approaches that allow cooperation without intervening in the national differences that is a balance that makes the Paris Agreement efficient and strong.
Assistance and Fairness to Third World Countries
A progressive feature of the Paris Climate Agreement is its acknowledgment that countries differ in their endowments and burdens. The developing countries are the most impacted as compared to the industrialized countries with little strength to control the emissions, the traditional contributors to the emissions.
To bridge this gap Climate finance was demonstrated when the developed countries promised to install 100 billion dollars each year by 2020. The funds are provided to mitigation (e.g., renewable energy) and adapting (e.g., climate-resilient agriculture). The deal will revolve on technology transfer and therefore there will be no isolation of the vulnerable countries. We share these ideals in PCF where we endorse climate justice and we also ensure that poor communities gain the means and resources they need to thrive.
The Social Dimension of Resilience
The Paris deal is not merely an emission-cutting agreement as it gives the adaptation the first priority. Due to growing impacts of climate, resilience is becoming as significant as prevention. Countries develop national adaptation plans to address climate challenges. The agreement goes ahead to encourage the exchange of knowledge between nations. Global efforts prioritize vulnerable nations to climate change. This greatly aligns with the mission of mobilizing local solutions and developing a community-level resilience by PCF such that to leave no person vulnerable.
The Global Stocktake: 2015 Measuring Progress
Paris Agreement has a global stocktake which is carried out after every five years. This is done by studying the progress made by all the participating nations and where the efforts must be intensified. It is not corrective but responsible and educative. The first global stocktake, concluded at COP28 in 2023, found that while progress was positive, it remained insufficient to meet the 1.5 °C goal. The discovery also leads to bringing to the fore the need to make more radical promises on the eve of COP30 and the years ahead.
Issues with the Paris Agreement
There are several issues with the Paris Agreement, despite its promising character:
- Weak NDCs: The current promises are not sufficient in order to achieve target 1.5 °C.
- Political Fluctuations: Major withdrawals, such as the United States in 2020 and 2025, will be a danger to the momentum.
- Lack of Implementation: In most of the countries, it has been hard to actually implement the promises.
Our belief at PCF is that mobilization at grassroot level will address these problems. Moreover, global leadership will assist once the international ambitions align with the local action. The Paris Agreement remains relevant today because it has contributed to achieving the peace we know today.
How Paris Agreement is Still Important?
Paris Agreement is the most extended network of uniting the countries in the battle against climate change. However, its setbacks exist. This has been applicable because it is equity based focusing and transparency as well as long-term vision. More importantly, it provides the road map to sustainable development. These show that climate action is not a matter of survival, but making a better future.
It is a driver and a motivation in the case of such a firm as PCF. We are assisting in bridging the gap between the international system and the local action. Our major purpose is to impart the French ethos to real-life development of communities the need.
Conclusion
To sum up, The Paris deal is not a convention, it is a universal declaration of solidarity, equality and want. It proposes the most reliable path of defeating the climate crisis despite the obstacles to the same still being predominant. Hence, Progressive Climate Foundation is sure that they can accomplish its goals by practicing advocacy and mobilization of the youth. The climate change is not just a question of the environment but also of the fairness, and future possibilities. It is also a matter of a future, which we would like to build together.
