In 2015, 195 countries came together to pledge their commitment to mitigating the effects of climate change by signing the Paris Agreement. Since then, annual updates and conferences have been held to track progress towards achieving the goals outlined in the agreement.
The most recent update to the Paris Agreement, which took place during the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Katowice, Poland in December 2018, focused on setting guidelines for implementing the agreement. These guidelines, known as the Katowice Rulebook, aim to ensure transparency and consistency in reporting greenhouse gas emissions, tracking progress towards reducing those emissions, and providing financial assistance to developing countries.
One of the key provisions of the Paris Agreement is the goal of limiting global temperature rise to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, with a preference for limiting it to 1.5°C. The update reaffirmed this goal and called on countries to step up their efforts to reduce emissions and increase their contributions towards achieving it.
As of the end of 2018, 184 countries have ratified the Paris Agreement, which represents approximately 97% of global greenhouse gas emissions. However, there are concerns that some countries may not be doing enough to meet their commitments. For example, a recent report by the United Nations Environment Programme found that current pledges by countries will only result in a reduction of 1% in global emissions by 2030, far below the 45% reduction required to meet the 1.5°C goal.
Despite these challenges, the update to the Paris Agreement provides a framework for continued progress towards reducing emissions and mitigating the effects of climate change. It also highlights the importance of international cooperation and collaboration in addressing this global issue. As we move into the new year, it remains to be seen how countries will respond to these guidelines and what actions they will take to achieve the goals outlined in the Paris Agreement.
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