Ten years after the adoption of the Paris Climate Agreement, we analyze the successes and challenges and take a look into what the next few years may hold in store. Today’s focus: international climate finance.
By Nico Beckert
Lena Schilling negotiated the EU climate target as shadow rapporteur for the Greens. Two years ago she was still shaping the Austrian climate movement, today she is the youngest MEP – and part of the EU delegation at COP30.
By Lukas Bayer
German companies have come a long way since 2015: from being skeptical to overfulfilling the Climate Protection Act. Globally, too, climate change is increasingly seen as a successful business model.
By Kai Schöneberg
The Paris Agreement committed UN member states to limiting global warming to a maximum of 1.5 degrees Celsius. Ten years later, oceans, glaciers, forests and the weather have already undergone dramatic changes and global warming could even accelerate.
By Lukas Bayer
The Paris Agreement has changed the global economy, but progress is too slow. COP30 in Belém should set three priorities: Expanding renewables, abandoning fossil fuels, protecting forests — and fairness in all areas.
By Laurence Tubiana
The Paris Agreement is based on cooperation and trust within a multilateral framework. Wars, trade conflicts and the rise of nationalist authoritarianism have slowed momentum. While the transition to green energy is underway, it is leading to tensions.
By Bernhard Pötter
Halfway through the “critical decade” on climate action and 10 years after the Paris Agreement was adopted, it hasn't delivered what it was expected
By Stella Eick, Nicholas Omonuk Okoit, Hemavathi S. Shekhar and Tobias Holle
The Paris Agreement already provided a global goal on adaptation. Ten years later, the GGA with its specific indicators is set to be adopted at COP30. The biggest source of conflict, now and in the future, is a lack of funding.
By Alexandra Endres
The 30th UN Climate Change Conference starts today, Monday, in Belém. At the last minute, the EU presented its climate targets for 2035 and 2040 to palpable sighs of relief.
By Lukas Knigge
Most of the 45 indicators that describe compliance with the Paris climate targets are heading in the right direction – but none of them are developing fast enough, a new report shows. And five are even going in the wrong direction.
By Bernhard Pötter
The Paris Climate Agreement represents a historic turning point in international climate policy. It was adopted by 195 countries in 2015 to limit global climate change and strengthen countries' resilience to the already tangible effects of the climate crisis. Read all about the most important goals of the Paris Agreement, the challenges involved in its implementation and an initial assessment of the agreement from the Table.Briefings editorial team. What does the Paris Climate Agreement say? The Paris Climate Agreement pursues the main goal of limiting global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial levels and, if possible, to 1.5 degrees Celsius. This goal is based on scientific findings that show that even a warming of more than 1.5 degrees would have serious consequences for the environment, the economy and society. In order to achieve this goal, the agreement contains the following key commitments: Is the Paris Climate Agreement legally binding? Within the current climate debate, the question of whether the Paris Climate Agreement is legally binding is of central importance. Which countries have not signed the Paris Climate Agreement? The Paris Climate Agreement has been signed by 196 countries and the European Union, 189 of which have ratified the agreement. Only a few countries have not yet signed up. The withdrawal of the USA under Donald Trump's administration in 2020 and again in 2025 is problematic from an international perspective, as the USA is one of the countries with the highest emissions of greenhouse gases in the world. What is the difference between the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Climate Agreement? The Paris Agreement and the Kyoto Protocol are both important agreements in international climate protection, but they differ in several aspects: Paris Climate Agreement: Goals and balance of the agreement The Paris Climate Agreement has defined clear goals to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius, ideally to 1.5 degrees. To achieve this goal, decisive and coordinated action is required at international level. Progress Shortcomings and challenges Despite the progress made, the Paris Climate Agreement has a sobering outcome. The Paris Climate Agreement has advanced climate protection worldwide, but the current measures are not yet sufficient to achieve the desired goals. The targets set out in the Paris Climate Agreement provide a clear framework for action, but meeting these targets is a major challenge. The climate crisis requires decisive and coordinated action at international level to ensure a climate-friendly and resilient future. The coming years will be crucial in setting the course for sustainable development.
