The Paris climate change agreement is an important international environmental treaty which was adopted by all 196 parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Its ultimate goal is to limit global warming to below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase even further to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
In 2015, the agreement was adopted at the 21st Conference of the Parties (COP) held in Paris, France. Since then, it has become a crucial topic for the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examination, especially for candidates applying for positions related to environmental science and public policy.
The agreement aims to strengthen the ability of countries to deal with the impacts of climate change, and to help them transition to a low-carbon economy. It also encourages developed countries to provide financial assistance to developing countries to support their climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts.
Under the Paris agreement, each country sets its own emission reduction targets, known as their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). The agreement also includes an enhanced transparency framework to monitor and report on countries’ progress towards meeting their targets.
India, as a developing country, has committed to reducing its emissions intensity of GDP by 33-35% by 2030, compared to 2005 levels. The country has also set a target of generating 40% of its electricity from non-fossil fuel-based sources by 2030. The Paris agreement has helped India to secure financial assistance from developed countries to support its transition to renewable energy.
However, the Paris agreement has faced some criticism, with some arguing that it does not go far enough to address the urgency of the climate crisis. Others argue that it places too much pressure on developing countries to reduce emissions, and that developed countries should take more responsibility for their historical and ongoing contributions to greenhouse gas emissions.
In conclusion, the Paris climate change agreement is an important international treaty that seeks to address the urgent problem of global warming. It is an essential topic for any UPSC candidate interested in environmental science and public policy. It is also crucial for all individuals and institutions to understand the impact of climate change on our planet and to take action to mitigate its effects.