The Paris Agreement on Climate Change is a landmark international treaty that was adopted on December 12, 2015, under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). It came into force on November 4, 2016, and has since become the cornerstone of global efforts to combat climate change. The agreement represents a unified response by the international community to the pressing issue of global warming and aims to limit global temperature rise while promoting sustainable development. Below are the key features of the Paris Agreement: 1. Global Temperature Goal One of the most important features of the Paris Agreement is its long-term temperature goal. The agreement seeks to limit the increase in global average temperature to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and pursue efforts to limit the increase to 1.5°C. This reflects growing scientific consensus that limiting warming to 1.5°C significantly reduces the risks and impacts of climate change on human societies and ecosystems. This goal is intended to avoid the most catastrophic effects of climate change, such as sea-level rise, extreme weather events, and loss of biodiversity. 2. Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) Another central feature of the Paris Agreement is the concept of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). Each participating country is required to submit its own plan outlining how it intends to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. These NDCs are self-determined and are expected to reflect the country’s highest possible ambition, considering its national circumstances and capabilities. Importantly, the agreement does not impose legally binding emissions reduction targets, but it does require transparency and accountability in reporting progress. Countries must update and enhance their NDCs every five years to reflect increased ambition. 3. Universality and Differentiated Responsibilities The Paris Agreement marks a departure from previous climate agreements by being both universal and inclusive. All 195 countries that are parties to the agreement have committed to climate action, regardless of their level of development. However, it still acknowledges the principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities” (CBDR-RC). This means that while all countries must take action, developed nations are expected to take the lead and provide support to developing countries in terms of finance, technology, and capacity-building. This feature ensures equity and fairness in global climate governance. 4. Transparency Framework To ensure accountability and build trust among parties, the Paris Agreement establishes an enhanced transparency framework (ETF). Under this framework, countries are required to regularly report on their greenhouse gas emissions, progress made in implementing and achieving their NDCs, and support provided or received. These reports will undergo a technical expert review and a facilitative multilateral consideration of progress. The transparency mechanism is designed to be flexible and accommodate countries with different capacities, particularly developing nations that may need more time and support to fulfill their reporting obligations. 5. Global Stocktake A unique feature of the Paris Agreement is the Global Stocktake, which occurs every five years starting in 2023. The Global Stocktake is a collective assessment of the world's progress toward achieving the goals of the agreement, particularly the long-term temperature goal. It is a critical process that informs countries in updating and enhancing their NDCs. By evaluating the collective effort, the Global Stocktake aims to encourage increased ambition and international cooperation in climate action. 6. Climate Finance Climate finance is a key component of the Paris Agreement. Developed countries are expected to provide financial resources to