Paris Agreement: Strengths and Weaknesses behind a Diplomatic Success

Abstract

The record-breaking participation to the signing ceremony of the Paris Agreement (PA), held in New York on International Mother Earth Day (22 April, 2016), marks a first important step towards its entry into force. Yet, challenges remain for turning commitments into action. Key technical and political elements are still to be detailed in policy areas such as mitigation (including cooperative approaches), adaptation, loss & damage and climate finance. This article looks into the work Parties will need to do in the upcoming years to address such gaps and, more in general, to overcome the major operational limitations currently characterizing the PA.

Keywords: Paris Agreement, Signing Ceremony, Entry into Force, Mitigation, Adaptation, Loss & Damage, Climate Finance

JEL Classification: K33, Q54