The Paris Agreement is a historic international treaty on climate change that was adopted by 196 countries in December 2015. The agreement aims to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius. The UK Government played a crucial role in the negotiations, and has been a vocal advocate for strong action on climate change.
Following the adoption of the Paris Agreement, the UK Government was one of the first countries to ratify the treaty, in November 2016. This demonstrated the UK`s commitment to tackling climate change and meeting its obligations under the agreement.
In order to meet its targets under the Paris Agreement, the UK Government has made significant investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency. The Government has set a target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 68% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels, and has committed to reaching net zero emissions by 2050.
The UK Government has also been active in encouraging other countries to take action on climate change. It hosted the Climate Ambition Summit in December 2020, which brought together leaders from around the world to discuss their plans to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement. The summit was seen as a crucial moment in the global effort to tackle climate change, as it demonstrated that many countries are committed to taking strong action despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, the UK Government has faced criticism for its record on climate change, particularly in relation to its support for fossil fuels. The Government has been accused of failing to adequately regulate the oil and gas industry, and of providing financial support for new fossil fuel projects. Environmental campaigners argue that these actions are inconsistent with the UK`s commitments under the Paris Agreement.
Despite these criticisms, the UK Government has been a key player in the international effort to tackle climate change, and its ratification of the Paris Agreement was an important moment in the fight against global warming. As the world continues to grapple with the challenges posed by climate change, the UK Government`s actions will be closely watched by activists, scientists, and policymakers around the world.
