The Paris Agreement, also known as the Paris Climate Accord, is a legally binding international treaty signed in 2015 by 196 countries. The aim of this agreement is to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius, and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.
The Paris Agreement sets out a framework for countries to develop their own national climate action plans, called Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), and to regularly report on their progress towards meeting their targets. It also includes provisions for financial and technological support from developed countries to developing countries, to help them transition to a low-carbon economy and adapt to the impacts of climate change.
The Paris Agreement is seen as a landmark achievement in global efforts to address the climate crisis, and has been ratified by 189 countries as of 2021. However, some countries have withdrawn from the agreement or failed to meet their commitments, highlighting the challenges of global cooperation on such a complex issue.
In Poland, the Paris Agreement has been a topic of debate and controversy. While the Polish government has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and transitioning to a low-carbon economy, it has also been criticized for its continued reliance on coal as a major source of energy. The country is also home to the annual United Nations climate conference, known as COP24, which took place in Katowice in 2018.
Overall, the Paris Agreement is an important step towards addressing the urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the impacts of climate change. While there is still much work to be done, the agreement provides a framework for global cooperation and progress towards a more sustainable future.