Paris Climate Agreement
Text Version
What it is
The Paris Climate Agreement is a 2015 legally-binding international framework aiming to keep global temperature rise below 2 °C above pre-industrial levels, and pursue efforts limiting said increase below 1.5 °C. Under President Trump, the US has notified the UN of its intention to withdraw, bringing this agreement into the national spotlight. Under the agreement, countries prepare and submit Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) every five years. These NDCs are determined in part by economic and development status, and progress with each update. Notably, while their preparation and assessment are binding, NDC execution is not.
The case for it
Advocates of the Paris Climate Agreement argue that it provides unified, international action necessary to combat climate change, referencing the agreement's near-universal consensus. They claim the US is vital in maintaining the agreement, which they argue is necessary to avoid significant consequences of global warming. Others point to studies tying these adverse effects to economic losses, claiming that the agreement spurs significant growth, especially in sectors like green energy. Finally, some claim fighting climate change yields health and national security benefits.
The case against it
Critics highlight the Paris Climate Agreement’s decentralized approach, noting a lack of an enforcement mechanism ensuring the execution of NDCs. Because pledges are voluntarily set by each nation, they also claim that under-ambitious national pledges contribute to the agreement’s ineffectiveness in combating climate change, as found by a UN report. Others emphasize some studies which indicate lower economic growth considerable job loss due to the agreement, particularly in areas like manufacturing. Finally, some criticize the agreement’s financial cost.
Sources
BBC: "Paris climate accords: US notifies UN of intention to withdraw"
European Commission: "Paris Agreement"
United Nations Foundation: "7 Reasons the United States Needs the Paris Climate Agreement"
NRDC: "Paris Climate Agreement: Everything You Need to Know"
NRDC: "Why the Paris Agreement Is Good for the United States"
Nature Article: "Large potential reduction in economic damages under UN mitigation targets"
UNFCCC: "Paris Agreement - Status of Ratification"
IPCC: "Climate Change 2014 Synthesis Report Fifth Assessment Report"
The Heritage Foundation: "4 Reasons Trump Was Right to Pull Out of the Paris Agreement"
Washington Post: "Trump is officially withdrawing from the Paris climate agreement. That won’t change much."
National Geographic: "Current Climate Pledges Aren't Enough to Stop Severe Warming"
Click here to view the full Research Outline!
The Paris Climate Agreement is a 2015 legally-binding international framework aiming to keep global temperature rise below 2 °C above pre-industrial levels, and pursue efforts limiting said increase below 1.5 °C. Under President Trump, the US has notified the UN of its intention to withdraw, bringing this agreement into the national spotlight. Under the agreement, countries prepare and submit Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) every five years. These NDCs are determined in part by economic and development status, and progress with each update. Notably, while their preparation and assessment are binding, NDC execution is not.
The case for it
Advocates of the Paris Climate Agreement argue that it provides unified, international action necessary to combat climate change, referencing the agreement's near-universal consensus. They claim the US is vital in maintaining the agreement, which they argue is necessary to avoid significant consequences of global warming. Others point to studies tying these adverse effects to economic losses, claiming that the agreement spurs significant growth, especially in sectors like green energy. Finally, some claim fighting climate change yields health and national security benefits.
The case against it
Critics highlight the Paris Climate Agreement’s decentralized approach, noting a lack of an enforcement mechanism ensuring the execution of NDCs. Because pledges are voluntarily set by each nation, they also claim that under-ambitious national pledges contribute to the agreement’s ineffectiveness in combating climate change, as found by a UN report. Others emphasize some studies which indicate lower economic growth considerable job loss due to the agreement, particularly in areas like manufacturing. Finally, some criticize the agreement’s financial cost.
Sources
BBC: "Paris climate accords: US notifies UN of intention to withdraw"
European Commission: "Paris Agreement"
United Nations Foundation: "7 Reasons the United States Needs the Paris Climate Agreement"
NRDC: "Paris Climate Agreement: Everything You Need to Know"
NRDC: "Why the Paris Agreement Is Good for the United States"
Nature Article: "Large potential reduction in economic damages under UN mitigation targets"
UNFCCC: "Paris Agreement - Status of Ratification"
IPCC: "Climate Change 2014 Synthesis Report Fifth Assessment Report"
The Heritage Foundation: "4 Reasons Trump Was Right to Pull Out of the Paris Agreement"
Washington Post: "Trump is officially withdrawing from the Paris climate agreement. That won’t change much."
National Geographic: "Current Climate Pledges Aren't Enough to Stop Severe Warming"
Click here to view the full Research Outline!