Author(s): Tariq Bin Sarwar
Abstract: The article seeks to critically analyze the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement. It finds that the Agreement is a success from one perspective and a failure from another. It argues that drastic measures need to be taken to that end because the Agreement has many loopholes and weaknesses. Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) are problematic as they offer much flexibility to the state parties in terms of emission reduction. There are also problems regarding enforcement and compliance. The Agreement has failed to take the differences between the developed and developing countries, in terms of GHG emission, into account. The Agreement is ambitious having no practical scheme to meet its set goals. The controversial REDD+ and Net Zero schemes, as prescribed by the Agreement, will continue to facilitate carbon emissions and will sustain the climate crisis. Though it is a legally binding Agreement, as understood from its title, it is largely flexible and non-binding by contents. Therefore, though the making of the Agreement itself is a success, it is a failure given its contents and the consequences.
Keywords: Climate, Paris Agreement, Sustainable Development Mechanism (SDM), Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs), and REDD+& Net Zero Schemes