Paris climate agreement: What you should know about it

The Paris Climate Agreement is an international treaty that was adopted by almost all countries in the world in the French capital Paris in 2015. The aim of the agreement is to combat global climate change and limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius compared to the pre-industrial age - ideally even to 1.5 degrees. But how exactly does this work and why is this agreement so important for us all?

The central idea of the Paris Agreement is that all countries - both industrialized and developing countries - must do their part to curb climate change. In contrast to previous agreements, in which industrialized countries in particular were obliged to reduce emissions, the Paris Agreement includes all countries. It is not just about reducing emissions, but also about adaptation strategies to climate change and financial support for the poorest countries that are particularly affected by climate change.

An important element of the agreement is the so-called "national contribution", which each country sets itself. These national climate targets must be regularly reviewed and improved to ensure that the global climate targets are achieved. The agreement therefore relies on the continuous improvement and strengthening of climate action measures.

The Paris Agreement is also flexible, which means that it can be adapted to new scientific findings and developments. Another important goal is to promote innovations and technologies that will help us make the transition to a more sustainable and climate-friendly world.

Why is the agreement so important for climate action? Quite simply, climate change is a global challenge that can only be overcome through joint action by all countries. The Paris Agreement provides a framework that ensures that everyone does their bit and no nation is left out. It is a step in the right direction to slow down global warming, reduce ecological damage and secure the basis of life for future generations.

The Paris Agreement shows us that climate action is a task for all of us - for states, companies and each and every one of us. We can also contribute to achieving the global climate targets through our daily actions, for example in terms of energy supply, mobility or our consumer behavior.