Why this matters now
Paris Agreement is tested for: COP21 adoption 12 December 2015 at Le Bourget, Paris; UNFCCC parent treaty; legally binding procedural elements + nationally-determined substance; NDCs (Nationally Determined Contributions); 5-year ratchet of ambition; 1.5°C IPCC Special Report 2018; first Global Stocktake at COP28 Dubai 2023; Loss and Damage Fund operationalised at COP28; India’s 3 NDCs; Panchamrit at COP26 Glasgow 2021; LiFE Mission (Lifestyle for Environment).
Background
- UNFCCC 1992 (Rio Earth Summit) — parent convention. 197 parties.
- Kyoto Protocol 1997 (KP) — binding emission cuts only for Annex-I (developed) countries.
- Doha Amendment 2012 extended KP to 2020 with 2nd commitment period.
- Durban Platform 2011 (COP17) mandated negotiation of a new universal agreement.
- COP21 Paris 30 Nov - 12 Dec 2015: adopted Paris Agreement. 196 parties negotiated. French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius gavelled adoption.
Core Provisions
- Article 2 — Long-Term Goals:
- Hold global average temperature rise well below 2°C; pursue efforts to limit to 1.5°C.
- Adaptation + low-emission development.
- Financial flows consistent with low-GHG climate-resilient pathways.
- Article 4 — Mitigation + NDCs:
- Each Party prepares + communicates + maintains successive NDCs (Nationally Determined Contributions).
- NDCs must represent progression beyond previous (no backsliding).
- Developed countries take economy-wide absolute emission reduction targets.
- Developing countries take economy-wide or sector targets.
- Article 6 — Cooperation: voluntary international cooperation through:
- 6.2 Internationally Transferred Mitigation Outcomes (ITMOs);
- 6.4 mechanism (successor to CDM under Kyoto);
- 6.8 non-market approaches.
- Article 7 — Adaptation: establish global goal on adaptation.
- Article 8 — Loss and Damage: Warsaw International Mechanism (WIM) under UNFCCC.
- Article 9 — Finance: developed countries $100 billion/yr mobilisation (continued through 2025); new collective quantified goal post-2025 (COP29 Baku 2024 announced $300 bn/yr by 2035).
- Article 13 — Transparency: Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF) — biennial transparency reports.
- Article 14 — Global Stocktake: every 5 years assess collective progress.
India @ Paris
Ratified 2 October 2016 (Gandhi Jayanti) — one of first 75 countries.
India’s 1st NDC (2015):
- 33-35% reduction in emission intensity of GDP by 2030 from 2005 levels.
- 40% non-fossil-fuel power capacity by 2030.
- 2.5-3 billion tonnes CO2 equivalent additional carbon sink via afforestation by 2030.
Panchamrit (COP26 Glasgow 2021): PM Modi announced 5 commitments —
- 500 GW non-fossil energy capacity by 2030.
- 50% energy from renewables by 2030.
- Reduce 1 billion tonnes CO2 emissions by 2030.
- Reduce carbon intensity 45% by 2030.
- Net Zero by 2070.
Updated NDC August 2022: formalised Panchamrit into binding targets — 45% emission intensity reduction + 50% non-fossil capacity by 2030.
LiFE Mission (Lifestyle for Environment) launched COP27 — demand-side individual action mainstreamed.
Key COPs since Paris
| COP | Year + Place | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| COP22 | 2016 Marrakech | Marrakech Action Proclamation. |
| COP24 | 2018 Katowice | Paris Rulebook finalised. |
| COP25 | 2019 Madrid | Article 6 stalemate. |
| COP26 | 2021 Glasgow | Glasgow Climate Pact; coal “phase down”; Panchamrit. |
| COP27 | 2022 Sharm el-Sheikh | Loss and Damage Fund agreed. LiFE Mission launched. |
| COP28 | Nov-Dec 2023 Dubai | 1st Global Stocktake. Transition away from fossil fuels language (1st time). Loss and Damage Fund operationalised. |
| COP29 | Nov 2024 Baku | New Collective Quantified Goal: $300 bn/yr by 2035 (criticised as inadequate by Global South). Article 6.4 carbon market rules adopted. |
| COP30 | Nov 2025 Belém Brazil | Next stocktake submission; NDC 3.0. |
UPSC angle
Know PARIS AGREEMENT — adopted COP21 12 DEC 2015 Le Bourget Paris (Laurent Fabius gavelled), entered force 4 NOV 2016; 196 PARTIES; LONG-TERM GOAL: temperature WELL BELOW 2°C pursue 1.5°C above pre-industrial + adaptation + finance flows; CORE: ART 4 MITIGATION+NDCs (Nationally Determined Contributions, progression beyond previous no backsliding, developed economy-wide absolute, developing economy-wide or sector); ART 6 COOPERATION 6.2 ITMOs + 6.4 successor to CDM + 6.8 non-market; ART 7 adaptation global goal; ART 8 LOSS AND DAMAGE Warsaw International Mechanism WIM; ART 9 FINANCE $100 bn/yr developed countries (through 2025) NEW $300 BN/YR BY 2035 COP29 Baku 2024; ART 13 ENHANCED TRANSPARENCY FRAMEWORK biennial transparency reports; ART 14 GLOBAL STOCKTAKE every 5 yrs; INDIA RATIFIED 2 OCT 2016 GANDHI JAYANTI 1st 75 countries; 1ST NDC 2015: 33-35% emission intensity GDP cut from 2005 by 2030, 40% non-fossil capacity 2030, 2.5-3 bn t CO2 carbon sink; PANCHAMRIT COP26 GLASGOW 2021 PM Modi 5 commitments: 500 GW non-fossil by 2030 + 50% renewables by 2030 + reduce 1 bn t CO2 + 45% intensity cut + NET ZERO BY 2070; UPDATED NDC Aug 2022 binding 45% intensity + 50% non-fossil; LIFE MISSION Lifestyle for Environment COP27; KEY COPs: 22 Marrakech 2016 + 24 KATOWICE 2018 Paris Rulebook + 26 GLASGOW 2021 Panchamrit+phase-down coal + 27 SHARM 2022 Loss & Damage Fund agreed + COP28 DUBAI Nov-Dec 2023 1ST GLOBAL STOCKTAKE+transition AWAY FROM FOSSIL FUELS 1st time+L&D operationalised + COP29 BAKU 2024 NCQG $300 bn/yr by 2035+Art 6.4 carbon market rules + COP30 BELEM BRAZIL Nov 2025.
Frequently asked questions
When was the Paris Agreement adopted?
At COP21 in Paris on 12 December 2015 by 196 parties. Entered into force on 4 November 2016 after the 55-country / 55% emission threshold was met.
What is the temperature target?
Hold global average temperature rise “well below 2°C” above pre-industrial levels + pursue efforts to limit to 1.5°C (Article 2).
What is an NDC?
Nationally Determined Contribution — each country’s self-set climate target. India’s updated NDC (2022) targets 45% emission intensity cut + 50% non-fossil power capacity by 2030.
What is India’s Net Zero target?
By 2070 — announced as the 5th commitment of PM Modi’s Panchamrit at COP26 Glasgow 2021.