The Paris Agreement GHG Inventory: Understanding the Importance of Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions
The Paris Agreement on Climate Change is a historic global accord signed by 197 countries to limit the rise of global temperatures to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase even further to 1.5°C. One of the significant commitments outlined in the Paris Agreement is the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, which are responsible for global warming and climate change.
To achieve this goal, countries have to develop and regularly update GHG inventories that measure the emissions of the six primary GHGs, namely carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6). GHG inventories provide a comprehensive picture of the sources and trends of GHG emissions, helping countries identify opportunities to reduce emissions and track progress towards their targets.
The Paris Agreement requires all parties to regularly report their GHG inventories to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). These inventories must follow the guidelines set out by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and provide information on the amount and sources of GHG emissions, as well as the removals and sinks of GHGs.
The first round of GHG inventory reports under the Paris Agreement was submitted in 2020, providing a baseline for assessing progress towards achieving the goals of the agreement. The reports showed that the world`s GHG emissions increased by 1.5% per year on average between 2010 and 2019, with a total increase of 21% over the last decade. This increase highlights the urgent need for countries to increase their efforts to curb GHG emissions.
Reducing GHG emissions is critical to mitigating the impacts of climate change, such as rising sea levels, increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, and disruptions to ecosystems and human livelihoods. The Paris Agreement emphasizes the need for a long-term goal to achieve net-zero emissions by the second half of this century. This means balancing the amount of emissions produced with the amount of emissions removed from the atmosphere through natural or technological means, such as reforestation or carbon capture and storage.
To achieve this goal, countries must adopt ambitious measures to reduce GHG emissions across all sectors, including energy, transport, agriculture, forests, and buildings. This requires political will and international cooperation to mobilize the necessary resources and technologies to transition to low-carbon and climate-resilient economies.
In conclusion, the Paris Agreement GHG inventory is a critical tool for understanding the sources and trends of GHG emissions, identifying opportunities to reduce emissions, and tracking progress towards achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement. It underscores the urgent need for countries to increase their efforts to curb GHG emissions and transition towards a low-carbon, climate-resilient future. As individuals, we can also play our part by reducing our carbon footprint through actions such as using energy-efficient appliances, reducing meat consumption, and supporting renewable energy. Together, we can create a more sustainable future for ourselves and future generations.
