Paris climate protection agreement

What is the Paris Climate Agreement?

The Paris Climate Agreement was adopted at the 21st UN Climate Change Conference in Paris in 2015 and is considered a historic milestone in international climate policy. For the first time, 197 countries agreed on a global climate agreement and a commitment to make the global economy more sustainable. The agreement came into force in 2016 and was ratified by 55 countries that emit at least 55% of global emissions. To date, 180 countries have ratified the agreement.

The goals of the Paris climate agreement

The Paris Agreement pursues three goals:

1. The increase in the global average temperature is to be limited to well below 2 degrees Celsius compared to the pre-industrial age - preferably 1.5 degrees Celsius. This main goal of the Paris Climate Agreement requires a rapid reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and the achievement of greenhouse gas neutrality in the second half of this century.
2. Another goal of the Paris Agreement is to strengthen adaptability to climate change. This goal is on an equal footing with the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
3. The third objective is to align financial flows in such a way that they support the long-term climate protection goals. It also promotes the provision of the necessary financial resources for climate protection measures.

The Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) of the Paris Climate Agreement

In order to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement, countries set their own Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). To ensure that the targets set are achieved, a global review is carried out every five years (since 2018). From 2025, the national contributions must be regularly updated every five years and made more ambitious ("ambition mechanism"). In addition, all countries are required to submit long-term strategies for low-greenhouse gas development by 2020.

Developing countries are supported by industrialized countries in reducing emissions and adapting to climate change. This support takes the form of technology transfer, financial aid and capacity building.

Which countries have signed the Paris Agreement?

To date, 198 parties, consisting of 197 countries and the European Union, have signed the Paris Agreement. This includes all countries in the world recognized under international law, with Nicaragua and Syria being the last to join the agreement in 2017. Of these, 195 parties have also ratified the agreement, with the exception of Libya, Iran and Yemen.

Difference between the Paris Climate Protection Act and the Kyoto Protocol

The Kyoto Protocol was the first binding agreement under international law to curb climate change. It came into force in 2005 and committed the participating industrialized countries to reducing their greenhouse gas emissions. The Paris Agreement replaces the Kyoto Protocol and introduces important innovations: It binds all countries into a common framework and relies on an inclusive, flexible approach to climate protection policy that takes account of different national circumstances.

Importance of the Paris Agreement for companies

The Paris Climate Agreement influences companies by leading to strict national climate targets. These in turn entail new regulations and reporting obligations for companies, such as the CSRD reporting obligation or the European supply chain law CSDDD. This requires companies to invest in climate-friendly processes and technologies - also in order to remain competitive in the long term.

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