The global surface temperature of the Earth has now increased to [over 1.2º C above the pre-industrial average](https://www.climate.gov/news-features/understanding-climate/climate-change-global-temperature). This is a key metric that is used to quantify *global warming*. As illustrated in this [analysis from IPCC](https://www.ipcc.ch/sr15/chapter/spm/b/spm2/), the warmer the Earth gets, the higher the risk of an imbalanced global ecosystem. ![[../assets/impact_global_temp_rise.png]] In response to the rising climate change problem, the majority of world governments signed a treaty at the 21st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP21) held in Paris, France. This treaty, also called the [Paris Agreement](https://climate.mit.edu/explainers/paris-agreement) focuses mainly on providing guidelines on confining the global average temperature to *"well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and pursuing efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, recognising that this would significantly reduce the risks and impacts of climate change"*. In the the run-up to COP21, countries were encouraged to prepare, communicate and maintain their own *guidebooks to tackle climate change*. This flexibility to *set one's own roadmap* is a recognition of the fact that all nations have different starting points in order to combat climate change and that they also are [entitled to scrutiny commensurate of their historical contribution to climate change](https://www.carbonbrief.org/analysis-which-countries-are-historically-responsible-for-climate-change/). During COP21, these INDCs were *adopted* by said countries and [the keyword "Intended" was dropped](https://www.wri.org/insights/after-cop21-what-needs-happen-paris-agreement-take-effect). The [*Nationally Determined Contributions* (NDCs) - see article 4, paragraph 9](https://unfccc.int/files/essential_background/convention/application/pdf/english_paris_agreement.pdf) were thus born! NDCs are individual *pledges* that state or non-state actors take to ensure they are cutting their emissions by a reasonable amount within a given timeframe so as to help keep global temperature under 1.5ºC. As per the [below infographic from ClimateWatch](https://www.climatewatchdata.org/2020-ndc-tracker), 178 countries have submitted at least one NDC so far with 109 of those submitting renewed NDCs. ![[../assets/cw-ndc-enhancements.png]] >[!info] The UNFCC NDC Registry >The [UNFCC NDC Registry](https://unfccc.int/NDCREG) provides a public snapshot of all the NDCs communicated by those entities that signed the agreement. How does your country look? For all its merits in bringing the world on the same 27 pages, the Paris Agreement is not perfect. While [stakeholder organisations suggest the Paris agreement to be legally binding](https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-paris-agreement), there is [no real enforcement mechanism in place to ensure governments stick to their pledges](https://www.nature.com/articles/s41599-023-02054-6). That's a bit like asking drivers to not drink under alcoholic influence as long as they conscientiously promise to not do so! With a lack of an enforcement mechanism, there is also a [chance of countries being overambitious in their targets owing to social pressure](https://www.nature.com/articles/s41599-023-02054-6). Especially as there are no serious repercussions if things don't go according to plan. In conclusion, the Paris Agreement unites countries in the urgent fight against climate change, setting ambitious targets to limit warming. While it establishes a framework for action, its lack of enforceability challenges nations to hold themselves accountable. Achieving its goals will require sustained commitment, transparency, and increased accountability to drive real change. ### Further documents to explore On global warming and GHG 1. [World Meteorological Organisation GreenHhuse Gas Bulletin](https://library.wmo.int/viewer/69057/download?file=GHG-20_en.pdf&type=pdf&navigator=1) NDC 1. [NDC Synthesis by UNFCC (published on Oct 28, 2024)](https://unfccc.int/documents/641792 ### Paris Agreement resources 1. https://www.nrdc.org/stories/paris-climate-agreement-everything-you-need-know#sec-beyond 2. how much of a difference the paris agreement will make? - https://news.mit.edu/2016/how-much-difference-will-paris-agreement-make-0422