On November 4, 2016, the Paris Agreement officially came into effect. This historic agreement is a global effort to combat climate change by reducing carbon emissions and limiting global temperature rise. The Paris Agreement was first adopted by 196 countries at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris in December 2015.

The Paris Agreement aims to limit global temperature rise to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius. This is critical because a global temperature rise of more than 2 degrees Celsius would have catastrophic consequences for the planet, including more extreme weather events, sea level rise, and food and water shortages.

To achieve this goal, countries have pledged to reduce their carbon emissions and transition to a low-carbon economy. Each country has submitted its own national climate plan, known as a Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), outlining its planned emissions reductions. These plans are updated every five years and are a key part of the Paris Agreement`s dynamic and evolving nature.

The Paris Agreement also establishes a framework for transparency and accountability, with each country`s progress towards its NDCs reviewed and assessed every five years. This helps ensure that countries are meeting their commitments and can increase their ambition over time.

The Paris Agreement has been praised as a historic achievement in the fight against climate change, but it is not without its challenges. The United States, under the Trump administration, announced its intention to withdraw from the agreement in 2017. However, President-elect Joe Biden has pledged to rejoin the Paris Agreement early in his presidency, signaling a renewed commitment to addressing climate change.

The Paris Agreement coming into effect is a milestone in the global effort to combat climate change. As we continue to face the challenges of a warming planet, it is crucial that countries work together to reduce emissions and transition to a low-carbon economy. The Paris Agreement provides a framework for this collaboration and a roadmap for a sustainable future.