Climate change talks in Paris: What are countries planning to do?

World Today

COP21: What are countries planning to do?COP21: What are countries planning to do?

All eyes will be on Paris again after the deadly terrorist attacks on Nov. 15, as the city hosts the U.N. climate change talks, formally known as the 21st session of the Conference of the Parties (COP21), or the Paris Climate Change Conference. 

Despite the attacks authorities in Paris have chosen to proceed with the long-scheduled international summit as planned, with leaders and senior officials from 195 countries and regions meeting to figure out a plan to fight against climate change.

Just like terrorism, climate change is a common issue that has implications for all people.

During the Paris conference, delegates will be discussing the “Intended Nationally Determined Contribution” (INDC) — in other words, pledges submitted by different countries for cutting greenhouse gas emissions.

COP21: What are countries planning to do?

COP21: What are countries planning to do?

All the major emitters, including U.S., EU, China, and India, have submitted their INDCs well in advance, with the hope that they could lead to a new universal climate change agreement at COP21.

COP21: What are countries planning to do?

COP21: What are countries planning to do?

As the Kyoto Protocol is to expire in 2020, COP21 will aim for a universal, legally binding agreement that will enable countries to combat climate change effectively, so as to keep global warming within NO MORE THAN 2°C over pre-Industrial Revolution levels, the threshold beyond which the world could see catastrophic and irreversible consequences.