Paris Agreement - Current Affairs Questions and Answers

1)   How many states have signed the Paris Agreement as per Nov 2016?

a. 172
b. 162
c. 182
d. 192
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: 182

Explanation:
The Paris Agreement has entered into force on Nov 4, 2016.

  • The agreement involves GHG emissions mitigation, adaptation and finance.
  • Paris Agreement’s entry into force comes after countries representing 55 percent of the world’s emissions joined the deal.
  • As per Nov 2016, 192 states have signed the agreement.
  • The EU is also a signatory to the agreement.
  • 97 of these parties have ratified or accepted the agreement.
  • Notable among these are the leading GHG emitters China, the US and India.
  • The Paris Agreement is inked within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
  • Language of the agreement was negotiated by 195 nations at the 21st COP of the UNFCC in Paris.
  • It was adopted by consensus on 12th December 2015.
  • It was launched for the signatories on 22nd April 2016 in NYC.
  • The EU ratified the agreement in Oct 2016.
  • The agreement has come into force due to ratification by enough countries.
  • The prime aim of the protocol is to limit global average temperature to well below 2 degree C above pre-industrial levels.
  • COP has established a global goal on adaptation of enhancing adaptive capacity, strengthening resilience and lowering vulnerability to climate change.
  • Averting, minimising and coping with losses due to climate change is another mitigation based goal.
Other aspects of the agreement focus on:
  • Technology Transfer
  • Capacity Building
  • Financing
  • Implementation
  • Review