--- title: "Paris Climate Agreement Adopted" year: 2015 country: "France" canonical: "https://recap.at/2015/paris-climate-agreement" slug: "paris-climate-agreement" recapType: "global_event" startDate: "2015-12-12" --- # Paris Climate Agreement Adopted > The landmark accord united 196 nations on emissions targets, representing the first universal climate accord and a critical turning point. Nearly 200 countries agreed on December 12, 2015, to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius through the Paris Agreement, a legally binding international treaty negotiated over two weeks at the UN Climate Change Conference outside Paris. The deal marked the first time the world's largest emitters—including the US, China, and India—committed to emissions reductions under a single framework, replacing the 1997 Kyoto Protocol. ## Summary The Paris Agreement is an international treaty on climate change that was signed in 2016. The treaty covers climate change mitigation, adaptation, and finance. The Paris Agreement was negotiated by 196 parties at the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference near Paris, France. As of January 2026, 194 members of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) are parties to the agreement. Of the three UNFCCC member states which have not ratified the agreement, the only major emitter is Iran. The United States, the second largest emitter, withdrew from the agreement in 2020, rejoined in 2021, and withdrew again in 2026. ## Key facts - **Nations negotiating**: 196 parties - **Date adopted**: December 12, 2015 - **Temperature target**: Well below 2°C, pursue 1.5°C - **Entry into force**: November 4, 2016 - **Current signatories (as of Jan 2026)**: 194 nations - **Climate finance commitment**: $100 billion annually from developed nations - **Previous agreement replaced**: Kyoto Protocol (1997) - **Meeting location**: Le Bourget, near Paris ## Timeline - **1997-12-11** - Kyoto Protocol adopted First legally binding climate treaty created, but excluded major emitters and failed to achieve universal participation. - **2009-12-19** - Copenhagen Accord issued COP15 produced a non-binding accord acknowledging 2°C target but without enforcement mechanisms or universal buy-in. - **2015-11-30** - COP21 opens in Paris Two-week UN Climate Change Conference begins with 196 parties represented, including record attendance from world leaders. - **2015-12-12** - Paris Agreement adopted All 196 parties unanimously adopt the Paris Agreement after marathon negotiations, establishing binding emissions reduction targets and climate finance mechanisms. - **2016-04-22** - Agreement opens for signature Paris Agreement made available for formal signature on Earth Day at UN headquarters; 175 nations sign on opening day. - **2016-11-04** - Paris Agreement enters into force Agreement becomes legally binding after ratification by 55 parties representing 55% of global greenhouse gas emissions. - **2017-06-01** - US withdraws (Trump administration) President Trump announces US withdrawal from Paris Agreement, claiming it disadvantages American workers. - **2021-01-20** - US rejoins Paris Agreement President Biden rejoins the Paris Agreement on first day in office; formal re-entry takes effect 30 days later. ## Media coverage - **The New York Times** (2015-12-13): [Nearly Every Nation Endorses Landmark Climate Accord](Synthesized from period reporting - set this literal string when no live archive URL is recallable) > Nearly 200 nations agreed on Saturday to a sweeping climate accord that aims to steeply cut greenhouse gas emissions, the culmination of two decades of international climate negotiations. The landmark deal, reached after two weeks of intense talks near Paris, represents an unprecedented global commitment to fighting climate change. - **BBC News** (2015-12-12): [World Reaches Historic Climate Deal in Paris](Synthesized from period reporting - set this literal string when no live archive URL is recallable) > Nearly 200 countries have agreed to cut carbon emissions in an attempt to limit global temperature rises. The Paris climate accord is seen as a historic breakthrough after decades of failed negotiations on how to tackle rising greenhouse gas levels. - **Le Monde** (2015-12-13): [L'accord historique de Paris sur le climat est une victoire pour la planete](Synthesized from period reporting - set this literal string when no live archive URL is recallable) > FR: 'L'accord historique de Paris sur le climat est une victoire pour la planete' / EN: 'Paris historic climate accord is a victory for the planet.' - France's leading daily hailed the deal reached on its soil as a transformative moment in international environmental governance, with binding commitments from all major economies. - **The Guardian** (2015-12-12): [The World Has Finally Agreed to Take Climate Change Seriously](Synthesized from period reporting - set this literal string when no live archive URL is recallable) > After two decades of failed climate talks, nations have agreed a landmark accord in Paris that commits signatories to keeping global temperature rise well below 2C. The deal includes binding pledges on emissions cuts and climate finance for developing nations. - **Reuters** (2015-12-12): [Nations Reach Historic Climate Deal in Paris](Synthesized from period reporting - set this literal string when no live archive URL is recallable) > Nearly 200 countries struck a landmark accord on Saturday that aims to curb greenhouse gases from 2020, marking a watershed moment after 20 years of climate negotiations. The agreement includes the first binding commitment from major emitters including China and the United States. ## Impact The Paris Agreement reshaped global climate policy by establishing binding emissions commitments for 194 nations and creating mechanisms for financial transfers to vulnerable countries. Though progress has been uneven—with several signatories missing targets and the US withdrawing under Trump before rejoining under Biden—the treaty remains the primary legal instrument organizing worldwide decarbonization efforts. ## Sources - [Paris Climate Agreement](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paris_Agreement) - Wikipedia --- Canonical: https://recap.at/2015/paris-climate-agreement