5 things you should know

1 The temperature target:

The text says that nations of the world will try to limit “the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2 Celsius above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels.” The language represents a huge win for small island states and other developing nations that argue a temperature increase above 1.5 degrees would be devastating for them.

2 How countries will get there:

The countries that sign the agreement pledge to “reach global peaking of greenhouse gas emissions as soon as possible,” but the text doesn’t specify a date. It says the parties to the pact will “undertake rapid reductions thereafter in accordance with best available science, so as to achieve a balance between anthropogenic emissions by sources and removals by sinks of greenhouse gases in the second half of this century.”

3

The next steps:

The text pledges all countries to delivering, every five years, a new national pledge to reduce emissions. Each pledge, it says, should represent a “progression” over the prior one, and should reflect the country’s “highest possible ambition.” Climate watchers see this process as crucial, because current country pledges aren’t strong enough to limit warming to below 2 degrees C much less 1.5 degrees C.

4 Adapting to the changes that are coming:

The text also states that countries will “engage in adaptation planning processes” to ensure that they’re ready for the effects of climate change. For impacts that cannot be adapted to, the accord contains a “loss and damage” section, suggesting that these cases will be addressed through a variety of means including “risk insurance facilities, climate risk pooling and other insurance solutions.” This provision is a key win for small island states and vulnerable nations.

5

Who pays?

The longcontested section on climate finance now says that developed countries, like the US, “shall provide financial resources to assist developing nations. Parties with respect to both mitigation and adaptation” — in other words, helping them brace for impacts but also to transition to cleaner energy systems. This suggests, though, that wealthier developing countries can also contribute such funds if they would like. Developed countries have to communicate about their climate donations every two years.