Role of the 2015 Paris Agreement in Tackling Climate Change: An Overview
Abstract
The 2015 Paris Agreement, which established a global legal framework to confront the escalating difficulties of climate change, is a significant accomplishment in international climate governance. This article analyzes the legal underpinnings, institutional processes, implementation tactics, and global relevance of the Paris Agreement in order to investigate its role in reducing climate change. It examines the main goal of the Agreement, which is to keep global average temperature growth well below 2°C over pre-industrial levels while working to keep warming to 1.5°C. The system of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), the transparency framework, the Global Stocktake, climate finance, technology transfer and capacity-building initiatives, all of which together foster global collaboration and accountability are given special attention. The article also assesses the Agreement's successes in promoting broad participation and bolstering national climate policies, but it also highlights enduring issues, such as the lack of legally binding emission targets, uneven implementation, insufficient financial support for developing nations, and insufficient commitments to reduce emissions. The study examines pertinent international legal instruments, academic literature, reports from international organizations, and judicial developments using a doctrinal and analytical research technique. The results indicate that while the Paris Agreement has greatly changed global climate governance by encouraging progressive and cooperative climate action, its long-term efficacy ultimately depends on increased international solidarity, stronger NDC implementation, increased political commitment, and increased climate finance. According to the article's conclusion, the Paris Agreement continues to be the cornerstone of the current international climate change regime and offers a dynamic framework that can direct collective efforts toward sustainable development and climate resilience, so long as States maintain their commitment to accelerate decarburization and fulfill their obligations under the Agreement.