International Agreements on Climate Change Timeline: A Brief Overview
Climate change is a global issue that requires a collaborative effort from all countries to mitigate its impacts. Over the years, various international agreements have been signed to address this issue. This article provides a timeline of the major international agreements on climate change and their significance.
1988 – The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) was established to provide scientific information to decision-makers on climate change.
1992 – The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was signed in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This treaty sets out a framework for international cooperation on climate change, including the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
1997 – The Kyoto Protocol was adopted in Kyoto, Japan. This agreement requires developed countries to reduce their GHG emissions by an average of 5.2% below their 1990 levels by 2012.
2009 – The Copenhagen Accord was reached at the UNFCCC conference in Copenhagen, Denmark. This non-legally binding agreement sets a goal of limiting temperature rise to 2°C and provides a framework for developed and developing countries to address climate change.
2015 – The Paris Agreement was adopted by 196 countries at the UNFCCC conference in Paris, France. This agreement aims to limit global temperature rise to well below 2°C and pursue efforts to limit it to 1.5°C. It also sets out a framework for countries to regularly communicate their progress towards their climate goals and increase their ambition over time.
2020 – The United States officially withdrew from the Paris Agreement under the Trump administration. However, under President Biden, the US has rejoined the agreement and committed to reducing its GHG emissions by 50-52% below its 2005 levels by 2030.
The timeline above shows that international agreements on climate change have evolved over time. While the Kyoto Protocol focused on developed countries, the Paris Agreement recognizes the role of all countries in addressing climate change. This shift in focus is crucial, as developing countries are the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, despite having contributed the least to the problem.
In conclusion, international agreements on climate change are essential for addressing this global issue. The timeline above highlights the significant milestones in the evolution of these agreements and their impact on climate action. As the world continues to face the impacts of climate change, it is essential for countries to increase their ambition and work together to mitigate its effects.