The Paris Agreement is a landmark international treaty adopted in 2015 under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). It aims to combat climate change by limiting global warming and fostering global cooperation. Below is a detailed explanation of its objectives, mechanisms, and significance.

1. Adoption:
   • Adopted on December 12, 2015, at the 21st Conference of Parties (COP21) in Paris.
   • Entered into force on November 4, 2016.
2. Primary Goal:
   • To limit global warming to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, while pursuing efforts to limit the temperature increase to 5°C.
3. Global Commitments:
   • Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs): Each country submits its own climate action plan outlining how it will reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
   • Regular updates: Countries must submit updated NDCs every five years, reflecting increased ambition.
4. Key Mechanisms:
   • Mitigation: Reducing GHG emissions to achieve a balance between emissions and removals in the second half of the century.
   • Adaptation: Enhancing resilience to climate impacts through planning and action.
   • Finance: Mobilizing at least $100 billion per year by 2020 (extended goal post-2025) to support developing countries.
   • Global Stocktake: Every five years, an assessment of collective progress towards the agreement's goals.
5. Transparency and Accountability:
   • Countries must report their emissions and progress under the Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF).

1. First NDC (2015):
   • Reduce the emissions intensity of GDP by 33-35% from 2005 levels by 2030.
   • Increase the share of non-fossil-fuel-based energy capacity to 40% by 2030.
   • Create an additional carbon sink of 5-3 billion tonnes of CO? equivalent through afforestation.
2. Updated NDC (2022):
   • Achieve 50% cumulative electric power capacity from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030.
   • Reduce emissions intensity by 45% by 2030 compared to 2005 levels.
3. Initiatives:
   • International Solar Alliance (ISA): Co-launched by India and France to promote solar energy globally.
   • Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE): Promoted by India to encourage sustainable lifestyles.

1. Global Cooperation:
   • Brings together nearly all nations in a collective effort to address climate change.
2. Flexible Framework:
   • Allows countries to set their own targets based on national circumstances.
3. Long-Term Vision:
   • Focuses on sustainable development and a transition to a low-carbon economy.
4. Promotes Equity:
   • Recognizes the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities (CBDR-RC), emphasizing support for developing nations.

1. Insufficient Commitments:
   • Current NDCs are not sufficient to meet the 1.5°C target.
2. Financial Gaps:
   • Developing countries face challenges in accessing the promised $100 billion annually for climate finance.
3. Global Emissions:
   • Rising emissions from industrialized nations and large developing economies.
4. Accountability:
   • Lack of binding enforcement mechanisms to ensure countries meet their commitments.

• Strengthen global cooperation to enhance NDC ambition.
• Focus on climate finance, technology transfer, and capacity building for developing nations.
• Promote renewable energy, sustainable development, and climate-resilient infrastructure.