The Paris Agreement and Climate Challenges- Explained Pointwise
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The Paris Agreement, adopted in 2015, is a landmark global effort to combat climate change. Signed by 196 nations, it seeks to limit global temperature rise to below 2°C, with an aspirational goal of 1.5°C. However, it faces challenges, including the U.S. withdrawal under President Donald Trump, who claimed the agreement was unfair and economically harmful to the U.S. This article explores the agreement’s origins, the implications of the US withdrawal, its challenges, and its potential to address the climate crisis.

Paris Agreement
Source- Yale Sustainability
Table of Content
What is the Paris Agreement and what are its goals?
What are the implications of the U.S. withdrawal and its global impact?
What are the future implications of the withdrawal?
What are the challenges within the Paris Agreement?
What is the impact of U.S. Withdrawal on India?
Way Forward: Moving from “Drill, Baby, Drill” to “Drill Will Kill.”

What is the Paris Agreement and what are its goals?

Historical Context: Despite the unprecedented terror attacks in Paris in 2015, 196 countries gathered to create the Paris Agreement, which was hailed as a political success designed to mitigate global temperature rise and demonstrate international unity in the fight against climate change.

Goals of the Agreement: The primary aim was to limit the global average temperature increase to “well below 2°C,” with efforts to reach a target of 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. This effort is driven by Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) from member states, with progress being evaluated through periodic “Global Stocktake” reviews.

What are the immediate implications of the U.S. withdrawal and its global impact?

The U.S. declared a national energy emergency, prioritizing increased oil and gas production under the slogan “Drill, baby, drill,” and sought to reverse Biden-era environmental policies. The U.S. also planned to cancel the Inflation Reduction Act (Biden’s major climate initiative) and end efforts to promote electric vehicles and federal leasing for wind farms.

1. U.S. Exit from the Agreement:
a. This move could lead to an additional 4 billion tonnes of CO2 emissions by 2030 and 27 GtCO2e by 2050, undermining efforts to limit global warming.
b. By doing so, the U.S. joins Iran, Yemen, and Libya as one of only four nations not part of the agreement to limit warming to well below 2°C, ideally 1.5°C.
c. The withdrawal process will take a year, and the U.S. will not submit new emissions targets due in February 2025.

2. Policy Reversals:
a. Trump’s administration sought to weaken climate-related policies, boost fossil fuel extraction, and halt wind farm approvals, intensifying the climate crisis.
b. These decisions could also result in geopolitical tensions, with Europe likely imposing a Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism in response.

3. Immediate Global Impact:
a. The 2017 U.S. withdrawal significantly eroded U.S. credibility in climate diplomacy.
b. Other countries, including China and India, took on leadership roles, with China meeting its renewable energy targets six years ahead of schedule and leading in solar and wind power installations.

What are the future implications of the withdrawal?

1. Climate Inequality and the Role of the Super-Rich:
a.
According to Oxfam, the richest 1% of the global population are responsible for 15.9% of CO2 emissions, while the poorest 50% contribute only 7.7%.
b. The wealthiest 1% exhausted their share of the annual global carbon budget within the first 10 days of 2025, and to meet the 1.5°C target, they must cut their emissions by 97% by 2030.

2. Global Commitments and Distrust:
a. Wealthy nations missed their $100 billion annual climate finance commitment by two years.
b. The current pledge stands at $300 billion annually until 2035 (COP-29 The Finance Cop).
c. Distrust towards developed nations persists due to unmet promises and inequitable burden-sharing.

3. Financial Ramifications:
a. Climate Finance Cuts: Trump revoked the U.S. International Climate Finance Plan, which had aimed to contribute $11 billion annually by 2024. This withdrawal exacerbates the funding gap, leaving developing countries in need of $5–6 trillion by 2030 to meet their climate goals.
b. Private Sector and Global Finance: Large U.S. banks and investors are no longer required to support climate technologies, and U.S. veto power at the World Bank may shift priorities away from climate finance.

4. Domestic Environmental Rollbacks:
a.
Trump’s withdrawal was accompanied by over 100 deregulatory actions, including easing restrictions on coal-fired power plants and rolling back fuel efficiency standards. While these were framed as job-boosting measures, they undermined emissions reduction efforts.
b. Critics argue that the U.S. missed opportunities in the $2 trillion global clean energy market and the creation of millions of clean energy jobs.

5. Erosion of Global Momentum:
a.
Trump’s actions emboldened other nations to scale back their climate commitments.
b. According to the International Energy Agency, global energy-related CO2 emissions increased by 1.7% in 2018, reversing prior declines.

6. Climate Tipping Points and Risks: A 2-meter rise in sea levels could expose 480 million people to annual flooding, and economic losses from Amazon dieback could exceed $1 trillion.

What are the challenges within the Paris Agreement?

1. The 1.5°C Target: Although politically significant, the 1.5°C threshold is often seen as a symbolic target, particularly for small island nations most vulnerable to warming. However, it does not account for latent heat in oceans, which could lead to further warming.

2. Symbolic and Practical Value: The 1.5°C target has been a catalyst for legal actions to hold governments and corporations accountable for emissions.

3. Unmet Targets: Four UN climate summits in 2024 failed to produce meaningful agreements, and the world is on track to exceed the 1.5°C target, with climate feedbacks and irreversible changes becoming more likely.

4. Shortcomings of the Agreement: The NDCs are not legally binding, and many reports from countries contain data gaps. The agreement lacks enforceable commitments or specific implementation targets.

What is the impact of U.S. Withdrawal on India?

1. Weakened Global Climate Action: The U.S. withdrawal diminishes global momentum to address climate change, leaving India with increased pressure to meet ambitious climate goals without collective global action.

2. Funding and Technology Gaps: India relies on climate finance, particularly from the Green Climate Fund, to finance its renewable energy projects. The U.S. withdrawal further delays these initiatives due to funding shortages.

3. Increased Fossil Fuel Competition: Trump’s push for expanded U.S. oil and gas production could undercut global energy prices, making India’s renewable energy transition less competitive. India’s focus on solar power (92 GW installed capacity) might face challenges as fossil fuels become cheaper globally.

4. Geopolitical and Trade Tensions: With the U.S. stepping back, China may dominate the clean energy market, creating geopolitical challenges for India. The U.S. withdrawal could also undermine trust in climate diplomacy, affecting India’s international collaborations.

5. Strain on India’s Climate Goals: India’s target of net-zero by 2070 and renewable energy capacity of 500 GW by 2030 may be delayed due to reduced international cooperation.

Way Forward: Moving from “Drill, Baby, Drill” to “Drill Will Kill.”

US-PARIS:

U: Unified Global Action: Countries should re-engage with global efforts to combat climate change.
S:Sustainable Solutions: Invest in clean energy technologies and renewable energy sources.
P: Public-Private Partnerships: Encourage collaboration between governments, industries, and academia.
A: Adaptation Strategies: Develop robust strategies to mitigate climate impacts.
R: Research & Development: Invest in climate change research and innovation, including carbon capture and storage.
I: International Cooperation: Re-establish leadership in international climate negotiations.
S: Sustainable Consumption & Production: Promote responsible consumption and production to reduce emissions.

Read more- The Hindu
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