Explain the features of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.

The Paris Agreement, adopted on December 12, 2015, at the 21st Conference of the Parties (COP21) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), represents a landmark international accord aimed at addressing climate change. Here are the key features of the Paris Agreement:

1. Long-term Goal: The Paris Agreement sets a long-term goal to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, while pursuing efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius. This goal recognizes the urgent need to mitigate the impacts of climate change and prevent the most severe consequences.

2. Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs): Each participating country is required to submit a nationally determined contribution, outlining its climate action plan and commitments to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. These contributions are voluntary and can vary based on each country's circumstances, capabilities, and priorities. However, countries are encouraged to enhance their NDCs over time in a progressive manner.

3. Global Stocktake: The Paris Agreement includes a mechanism for a global stocktake to assess collective progress towards achieving its goals. This process occurs every five years, starting in 2023, and involves reviewing countries' emissions reduction efforts and the adequacy of their commitments. The outcomes of the global stocktake inform future climate action and the revision of NDCs.

4. Transparency and Accountability: The agreement emphasizes transparency and accountability by establishing a common reporting framework for countries to regularly report on their emissions and progress towards meeting their NDCs. This transparency enhances trust among parties and facilitates the tracking of global progress in addressing climate change.

5. Adaptation: The Paris Agreement recognizes the importance of adaptation to the impacts of climate change, particularly for vulnerable communities and ecosystems. It calls for enhanced support for adaptation efforts, including financial assistance, technology transfer, and capacity-building initiatives, to help countries adapt to the adverse effects of climate change.

6. Finance: Developed countries are required to provide financial support to developing countries to assist them in both mitigation and adaptation efforts. The agreement reaffirms the goal of mobilizing $100 billion annually by 2020 from a variety of sources, including public and private finance. Additionally, the Paris Agreement establishes a new collective quantified goal for climate finance beyond 2025, which will be set by the parties before 2025.

7. Technology Transfer and Capacity Building: The agreement promotes cooperation on technology development and transfer to support mitigation and adaptation efforts in developing countries. It also emphasizes the importance of capacity building to strengthen countries' abilities to address climate change effectively.

8. Loss and Damage: The Paris Agreement recognizes the concept of loss and damage associated with the adverse impacts of climate change, particularly in vulnerable and developing countries. It establishes a mechanism to address loss and damage and enhance support for affected communities, though it does not entail liability or compensation obligations.

9. Non-State Actors: The Paris Agreement acknowledges the important role of non-state actors, including cities, businesses, civil society organizations, and subnational governments, in advancing climate action. It encourages their active participation and contributions to global efforts to combat climate change.

10. Entry into Force and Implementation: The Paris Agreement entered into force on November 4, 2016, after receiving sufficient ratifications from participating countries. Since then, parties have been working towards implementing their commitments and enhancing global cooperation on climate change mitigation and adaptation.

Overall, the Paris Agreement represents a significant step forward in international efforts to address climate change by providing a flexible framework for collective action and cooperation among nations. Its key features reflect a commitment to ambitious emissions reductions, adaptation measures, transparency, and support for vulnerable communities, with the ultimate goal of safeguarding the planet for current and future generations.