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Response: The Paris Agreement

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The 2015 Paris Agreement

Summary

International targets: 

  • 5% reduction below 1990 gross emissions for the period 2013-2020
  • 30% reduction below 2005 (or 11% below 1990) gross emissions for the period 2021-2030.

New Zealand’s targets:

  • Net zero emissions of all greenhouse gases other than biogenic methane (agriculture) by 2050
  • 24-47% reduction below 2017 biogenic methane emissions by 2050, including just a 10% reduction below 2017 biogenic methane emissions by 2030.

Aims and processes

The aim is to reach peak global greenhouse gas emissions as soon as possible, and to thereafter rapidly reduce emissions based on the best available science. To do so means reaching net zero emissions during the second half of this century.
 

Each climate plan reflects each country’s ambition for reducing emissions, taking into account its domestic circumstances and capabilities. This because some countries will be able to achieve this sooner than others based on their sustainable development goals and efforts to eradicate poverty, as these are critical development priorities for many developing countries. However, it’s a non-binding agreement. That is, there are no mechanisms to forces any country to set a specific emissions target by a specific date. In December 2019, the Climate Change Response (Zero Carbon) Amendment Act was passed to support New Zealand’s goals under the Paris Agreement.

  Response

Other sections

Home > Climate wiki > Response > The Paris Agreement

Summary

International targets: 

  • 5% reduction below 1990 gross emissions for the period 2013-2020
  • 30% reduction below 2005 (or 11% below 1990) gross emissions for the period 2021-2030.

New Zealand’s targets:

  • Net zero emissions of all greenhouse gases other than biogenic methane (agriculture) by 2050
  • 24-47% reduction below 2017 biogenic methane emissions by 2050, including just a 10% reduction below 2017 biogenic methane emissions by 2030.

Aims and processes

The aim is to reach peak global greenhouse gas emissions as soon as possible, and to thereafter rapidly reduce emissions based on the best available science. To do so means reaching net zero emissions during the second half of this century.
 

Each climate plan reflects each country’s ambition for reducing emissions, taking into account its domestic circumstances and capabilities. This because some countries will be able to achieve this sooner than others based on their sustainable development goals and efforts to eradicate poverty, as these are critical development priorities for many developing countries.

However, it’s a non-binding agreement. That is, there are no mechanisms to forces any country to set a specific emissions target by a specific date.

In December 2019, the Climate Change Response (Zero Carbon) Amendment Act was passed to support New Zealand’s goals under the Paris Agreement.
 
Fig. 1: Projected temperature increases under current policies
Fig. 1: Projected temperature increases under current policies
Fig. 2: New Zealand's commitments to reduce net emissions (see 'Explainer') are insufficient to stay within what the IPCC deemed as 'safe' temperature increase of 1.5°C above pre-Industrial levels. We also exceed the 'dangerous' 2°C levels.
Fig. 2: New Zealand’s commitments to reduce net emissions (see ‘Explainer’) are insufficient to stay within what the IPCC deemed as ‘safe’ temperature increase of 1.5°C above pre-Industrial levels. We also exceed the ‘dangerous’ 2°C levels.

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