New Delhi: The US officially rejoined the Paris Agreement on Friday. The US Embassy in India has confirmed this. The Paris Agreement is a legally binding international agreement on climate change. It was adopted by the 196 parties on 12 December 2015 on COP 21 in Paris and implemented on 4 November 2016. Its goal is to limit global warming to below two, preferably 1.5 ° C, compared to pre-industrial levels.
Climate diplomats and campaigners believe the US will be turning its promises into action by committing to reach net zero emissions by or before 2050 and by reaffirming its pledge to support developing countries with finance.
Over the past four years, the action and leadership of US states, cities, and businesses have kept climate goals within reach.
During his first month in office, President Joe Biden has directed an aggressive mobilisation of the national government to embed climate throughout its activities.
Now leaders from sub-national coalitions will call on the Biden administration to commit to reducing emissions 50 per cent or more by 2030 (from a 2005 baseline) to put the US on a path to net-zero emissions by 2050.
Responding to the US returning officially to the Paris pact, France’s Climate Change Ambassador and Special Representative for COP21 and CEO of the European Climate Foundation, Laurence Tubiana, said: “It’s good to have the US back in the Paris Agreement, but sadly we have no time to celebrate.
“The climate crisis is deepening and this is the year we need all major polluters to step up and deliver stronger plans to deliver a safe, clean and prosperous future for everyone.
