Ten years of Sustainable Development Goals

A Decade of Unity and Progress: Celebrating the Paris Climate Agreement

Ten years ago, the world came together in an unprecedented show of unity and determination. The Paris Climate Agreement, adopted on December 12, 2015, marked a turning point in the global fight against climate change. Today, we celebrate a decade of this historic accord, reflecting on its achievements and the path forward with the publication of PARISX outlining where we are, how we got here and where we are, where we hope to be and how our Sustainable Development Goals can hit their targets. The publication’s content will include letters and articles from opinion leaders, cohorts and stakeholders from across the wide spectrum of the SDG and Climate Change global arena. Contributions from :

  • Antonio Gutierres Gen Sec UNO
  • Simon Stiell Executive Secretary of UNFCCC
  • Prof Celeste Paulo, World Meteorological Org
  • National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
  • EU Commissioner for Climate Action- Wopke Hoegstra
  • USA Office of Global Change
  • High Level Climate Champions
  • Nigar Arpadaraj (Azerbaijan)
  • Miss Razan al Mubarek (UAE)
  • Gonzales Munoz: Mr. Gonzalo Muñoz is a business entrepreneur and social change-maker at the forefront of environmental innovation in Chile, who reinvented the country’s recycling industry
  • Nigel Topping: Sustainability Accelerator Chatham House
  • President of COP 29 Mukhtar Babayev (CGIAR food Security)
  • Dr Sultan Jabar UAE President COP 28
  • Right Hon Sir Alec Sharma President COP 26 2021 Glasgow.
  • Coalition of Finance Ministers for Climate Action and Helsinki Principles supported by World Bank and IMF

Historic Milestone

The Paris Agreement was a landmark in international diplomacy. For the first time, nearly every nation on Earth committed to a common cause: limiting global warming to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, with efforts to keep it to 1.5°C. This collective goal galvanized countries into action, fostering a spirit of cooperation and shared responsibility.

Progress and Achievements

Over the past decade, the Paris Agreement has spurred significant progress:

  • Global Commitment: 197 countries have ratified the agreement, demonstrating a near-universal commitment to combating climate change.
  • Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs): Countries have submitted and updated their NDCs, outlining their plans to reduce emissions and adapt to climate impacts.
  • Financial Support: Developed countries have mobilized billions of dollars to support climate action in developing nations, with a goal of reaching $100 billion annually.
  • Technological Innovation: The agreement has stimulated innovation in clean energy, leading to a surge in renewable energy capacity and a decline in costs.
  • Non-State Actor Engagement: Businesses, cities, and civil society have become integral to the climate movement, aligning their strategies with the Paris goals.

Challenges and the Road Ahead

While we celebrate the progress, we must also acknowledge the challenges that remain. Global emissions have not yet peaked, and the impacts of climate change are becoming increasingly severe. The next decade is crucial, and the Paris Agreement provides the framework for enhanced ambition and action.

  • Strengthening NDCs: Countries must continue to update and strengthen their NDCs, reflecting the highest possible ambition.
  • Long-Term Strategies: Developing and implementing long-term low-emission development strategies is essential for achieving net-zero emissions.
  • Climate Finance: Scaling up finance for mitigation and adaptation is critical, especially for the most vulnerable countries.
  • Transparency and Accountability: The enhanced transparency framework of the agreement will play a key role in tracking progress and building trust.
  • Global Stocktake: The first global stocktake in 2023 will assess collective progress and inform the next round of NDCs.

A Call to Action

The Paris Agreement is a testament to what can be achieved when the world unites for a common purpose. As we celebrate its 10-year anniversary, let us reaffirm our commitment to its goals. The science is clear, and the urgency is real. We must act decisively and collectively to secure a sustainable and resilient future for all.

In the words of Christiana Figueres, former Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC, “The Paris Agreement is a bridge between today’s policies and climate-neutrality before the end of the century.” Let us continue to build that bridge, with hope and determination, for the generations to come.

Here’s to a decade of the Paris Climate Agreement and to the continued global effort to combat climate change.