Blog Posts: paris agreement

The Paris Agreement told us "what to do": achieve a carbon-neutral and resilient world by mid-century. The guidelines for implementing the Agreement that were adopted at the 24th Conference of the Parties (COP24), in Katowice, Poland, detailed "how" we might get there. Ideally, countries should just be able to roll up their sleeves, intensify their efforts, and turn the Paris Agreement into climate action on the ground. Yet this is easier said than done, and equipping countries with the proper tools and resources will be key to making that happen.

One key set of requirements in the...

Indonesia is one of few tropical nations actually decreasing deforestation. As a result, the country will earn its first payment as part of the UN's REDD+, a program where developed nations pay developing ones to reduce emissions by protecting forests.

Under the Paris Agreement, countries' long-term climate strategies are meant to plan into the middle of the century. But we have limited ability to foresee future technology, business, lifestyle and political developments. How can policymakers deal with this uncertainty?

After a rocky two weeks of climate talks, countries agreed on rules to implement the Paris Agreement, including guidance on regular communication, reporting, review and stock-taking of progress.

Development banks can align their investments in electricity grids with the Paris Agreement by incorporating a shadow carbon price and making sure their investments support long-term plans for decarbonizing the electricity sector.

Multilateral development banks are spending billions of dollars on climate finance. By aligning their entire operations with the Paris Agreement they can maximize the bang for their buck.

In Katowice, climate negotiators must send clear signals they will scale up support for developing countries, make progress on transparency and reporting, and set a timeline for determining a post-2025 finance goal.

World's third-largest emitter aims to achieve a climate-neutral economy by 2050.

As negotiators prepare for international climate talks at COP24 in Katowice, Poland, the world is at an existential crossroad: it can continue on a path of gradual but insufficient progress on climate change or shift to high gear to avoid the worst effects of rising global temperatures.

The Paris Agreement rulebook will transform the landmark climate treaty from a vision into reality. Will countries finalize it this year, as promised?