The United States has officially re-joined the Paris climate accord on February 19, 2020. It has joined the deal again after 107 days it left.
Highlights
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With the rejoining of US, the world leaders expects that now the country will prove its seriousness as it was mostly absent for four years.
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The countries are also waiting for the announcement from Washington on the US’s goal to cut emissions of heat-trapping gases by 2030.
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The president of US, Joe Biden, had signed the executive order to reversed the withdrawal ordered by former President, Donald Trump.
Background
In the year 2019, the Donald Trump administration had announced its withdrawal from the Paris accord. This order came into effect on November 4, 2020. the day after the election, because of provisions in the agreement.
Paris Climate Agreement
It is an agreement under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). This agreement was signed in 2016 and deals with the climate change mitigation, adaptation, and finance. This agreement was negotiated by the representatives of 196 states. It was signed at the 21st Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC in France. The agreement was later adopted by consensus in December 2015. Currently, 190 members of the UNFCCC are parties under the agreement. Countries like Turkey, Iran, and Iraq are not parties to it.
Goals under Paris Agreement
Under the Paris Agreement, there is a long-term goal of keeping the average temperature to well below 2 °C above the pre-industrial levels. It also seeks to put efforts in order to limit the increase to 1.5 °C. This will help in reducing the risks and impacts of climate change. The agreement further aims to increase the ability of parties so as to adapt with the adverse impacts of climate change. It also seeks to make the flow of finance towards low greenhouse gas emissions and climate-resilient development.