The international community of states took action on the mitigation of dangerous climate change by collaborating on defining the first-ever universal, legally binding global climate change agreement at the Climate Change Conference in Paris (COP21) in 2015. The Paris Agreement binds all states that have ratified the agreement to take measures suitable to mitigate global warming to well below 2 °C compared to pre-industrial temperature levels. Beyond that, a goal of 1.5 °C is pursued as it significantly reduces the risks of dangerous consequences of climate change. Thus, after 2050, the allowed amount of world-wide-emitted greenhouse gases must not be greater than the amount which is removed from the atmosphere. This balance between greenhouse gas sources and sinks is described by the term “Climate Neutrality”.

 

Countries that have ratified the agreement present national climate action plans, officially called nationally determined contributions (NDCs), every five years. The by then undertaken actions are assessed with regard towards the long-term goal. As so far all declared national measures are still insufficient, the NDCs are subject to necessary updating and enhancing during regular meetings. The continuous negotiation process and the reporting obligations are hoped to increase the pressure continuously – especially for countries such as Germany who fail to meet even their self-imposed targets – to reach the agreed temperature objectives.