In December 2015 the Paris Climate Agreement was approved, which marked a significant step in moving towards a fossil-free future. As part of the pact nearly 200 countries around the world agreed to keep the global temperature rise below 2 degrees Celsius. The participating nations also committed to pursuing efforts to limit the increase to 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels.

1. Marcel Kooter
CLIMATE AGREEMENT
THE PARIS

2. The Paris Climate
Agreement

3. In December 2015 the Paris Climate Agreement was
approved, which marked a significant step in moving towards
a fossil-free future. As part of the pact nearly 200 countries
around the world agreed to keep the global temperature rise
below 2 degrees Celsius.
The participating nations also committed to
pursuing efforts to limit the increase to 1.5
degrees above pre-industrial levels.
An End to the Use of Fossil Fuels?
These commitments were widely viewed as
part of a journey towards ending the use of
fossil fuels by 2050. However, the pledges
made by each country will still result in a
global temperature rise of between 3 and 7
degrees Celsius, exceeding the limit defined
by the pact. To this end the final agreement
requires participating nations to return every
five years to announce their new emission re-
duction targets.
More than Just Clean Energy
Committing to the 2-degree limit will necessi-
tate more than just a transition to clean en-
ergy, as the Paris Climate Agreement itself
implies. Managing land to support a variety of
competing needs will also have to be part of
the solution.

4. For more information
about the energy
transition from fossil fuels
to renewable sources, visit
the blog of Marcel Kooter.
Marcel Kooter