The Paris Agreement, a United Nations document, is a historic and ambitious global agreement that aims to combat climate change. The agreement was signed in Paris on December 12, 2015, and officially entered into force on November 4, 2016. It has since been ratified by 197 countries, including the United States, China, India, and the European Union.

The Paris Agreement aims to limit global temperature rise to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius. It sets out a framework for countries to work together to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change. This includes a commitment to regularly report on progress towards meeting their targets and increasing their ambition over time.

One of the key elements of the Paris Agreement is the concept of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). Each country is responsible for setting its own emissions reduction targets and outlining the actions it will take to achieve them. These targets and actions are then submitted as part of the country`s NDC. The Paris Agreement also provides for transparency and accountability through a system of regular reporting and review.

In addition to emissions reductions, the Paris Agreement recognizes the importance of supporting developing countries in their efforts to address climate change. Developed countries are committed to providing financial resources to help developing countries transition to low-carbon economies and adapt to the impacts of climate change.

The Paris Agreement has been widely hailed as a major step forward in the fight against climate change. However, it is not without its critics. Some argue that the targets set by the agreement are not ambitious enough, and that the lack of enforcement mechanisms makes it difficult to hold countries accountable. Others point to the decision by the United States to withdraw from the agreement, which was announced by President Trump in 2017.

Despite these criticisms, the Paris Agreement remains an important framework for global action on climate change. As countries work towards meeting their targets and increasing their ambition over time, the agreement provides a common goal and a shared sense of purpose in the fight against one of the greatest challenges facing humanity today.