On December 12, 2015, representatives of 196 parties within the United Nations Framework Convention of Climate Change (UNFCCC) negotiated the Paris Climate Agreement. [i] Article 2 of the UNFCC agreement outlined its objectives:
- Hold the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels
- Increase the ability to adapt to the adverse impacts of climate change and foster climate resilience and low greenhouse gas emissions development in a manner that does not threaten food production
- Making finance flows consistent with a pathway toward low greenhouse gas emissions and climate-resilient development
An overarching objective of the Agreement was “global peaking of greenhouse gas emissions as soon as possible.” ibid
To-date, 195 UNFCCC member organizations have signed the agreement, and 148 have ratified it. On June 1, 2017, President Donald Trump announced the United States’ withdrawal from the Agreement, citing its negative impact on American businesses, most notably those in the fossil fuel industry.
President Trump’s withdrawal announcement received mixed reviews, as expected:
Thanks for putting America first – Tyler White, Kentucky Coal Association, June 10, 2017
States Give Trump the Finger, Form United States Climate Alliance – Steve Hanley, Clean Technica,
June 7, 2017
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2017/06/states-cities-usa-climate-policy-environment/
Defiant Mayors Vow to Uphold Paris Climate Accord – Rina Raphael, Fast Company, June 1, 2017
The Paris Climate Change Won’t Change the Climate – Prager University, January 16, 2017
Has your organization taken a public (or private) stand regarding the Paris Agreement compliance? If so, what is that position? Do you believe that the world should be concerned about global warming, or do you agree with President Trump that…
We’d love to hear how you and your employer feel about the Paris Agreement and your predicted impact of climate change. Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts below.
And if you’re not yet tracking your organization’s emissions in EnergyCAP, I encourage you to learn more about EnergyCAP’s GHG Tracking & Reporting functionality.
[i] Paris Agreement, Wikipedia.
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