Was the Paris Agreement successful?
Pro Research Analysisby 
Searched over 200M research papers
Evaluating the Success of the Paris Agreement
Political Success in Climate Diplomacy
The Paris Agreement, adopted in December 2015, is widely regarded as a political success in the realm of climate diplomacy. The negotiations in Paris were marked by intense discussions and strategic maneuvering behind closed doors, which ultimately led to a consensus on key contentious issues. The success of the Agreement can be attributed to the persuasive arguments about the economic benefits of climate action, which altered national and international policy preferences in favor of stronger commitments1. The European Union (EU), in particular, played a significant role by adopting a bridge-building strategy that facilitated cooperation between major powers like China and the United States, thereby consolidating its position as a leader in international climate policy2.
Framework for Future Climate Action
The Paris Agreement is celebrated for providing a robust framework for future climate action. Unlike the failed Copenhagen summit in 2009, the Paris negotiations resulted in an inclusive and binding treaty that has regenerated faith in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) as a platform for multilateralism4. The Agreement's structure, which allows for the ratcheting up of efforts to combat global warming, is seen as a significant step forward. However, the true value of the Agreement will only become clear over time as nations implement and potentially strengthen their commitments4.
Short-Term and Long-Term Effectiveness
In terms of short-term effectiveness, the Paris Agreement scores high on participation and reasonably high on the ambition of the parties' commitments. However, compliance remains a significant challenge. The long-term effectiveness of the Agreement is also uncertain, as it does not fundamentally restructure states' incentives to avoid free-riding. The success of the Agreement will depend on the development of domestic and international norms that make it increasingly difficult to ignore the need to reduce carbon footprints, as well as technological advancements that lower the costs of abatement5.
Aspirational Goals and Realistic Challenges
The Paris Agreement includes aspirational goals, such as limiting global temperature increases to significantly less than 2°C. While this is a commendable objective, achieving it will require substantial efforts to strengthen national commitments over time. The Agreement's success will hinge on the effectiveness of mechanisms for ratcheting up these commitments and the political will to implement them3 7. The shift from a top-down approach to a bottom-up, self-determined strategy has spurred greater participation, making it easier to reach an agreement. This approach also provides a clearer direction for future climate efforts9.
Conclusion
The Paris Agreement represents a significant diplomatic achievement and offers a promising framework for future climate action. Its success in the short term is evident in the high levels of participation and ambition, but compliance and long-term effectiveness remain uncertain. The Agreement's ability to adapt and strengthen commitments over time will be crucial in determining its ultimate success in addressing global climate change. While there are reasons for both optimism and skepticism, the Paris Agreement has undoubtedly set a new standard for international climate diplomacy.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
The Paris Agreement on Climate Change: Behind Closed Doors
The Paris Agreement on climate change was achieved through persuasion, argumentation, and organizational strategy, influencing cognitive change and policy commitments at both national and international levels.
Highly CitedThe European Union and the Paris Agreement: leader, mediator, or bystander?
The EU has consolidated its role as a 'leadiator' in international climate policy, with the Paris Agreement exceeding expectations and enabling it to maintain this role in a multipolar world.
Paris COP 21: Power that Speaks the Truth?
The Paris Climate Change Agreement is a major success, but does it translate into actual success in achieving its goals?
The promissory note: COP 21 and the Paris Climate Agreement
The Paris Climate Agreement is a major diplomatic success and a robust framework for combating global warming, but its value will remain unclear for some time.
Highly CitedThe Paris Agreement: Short-Term and Long-Term Effectiveness
The Paris Agreement has high participation and ambition, but its Achilles' heel is likely compliance and lacks long-term effectiveness due to its insufficient restructure of incentives.
The Paris Climate Change Agreement: A New Hope?
The Paris Agreement, with its modest approach, provides a firmer foundation for building climate change solutions than its more ambitious predecessor, the Kyoto Protocol.
Highly CitedThe Paris Agreement: Destined to Succeed or Doomed to Fail?
The Paris Agreement on climate change has mixed prospects, with some doubting its success, but there is more room for hope than some would like to acknowledge.
Realpolitik in the Anthropocene: Resilience, Neoclassical Realism, and the Paris Agreement
The Paris Agreement's success stems from its ability to accommodate socioecological complexity and resilience in international relations, while also accommodating divergent interests of developed and developing countries.
Conference Diplomacy: the Making of the Paris Agreement
The Paris Agreement on climate change was achieved through a bottom-up, self-determined approach, inclusive leadership, and transparent negotiations, with the French Presidency playing a key role in achieving a comprehensive and ambitious outcome.
AMBITION AND DIFFERENTIATION IN THE 2015 PARIS AGREEMENT: INTERPRETATIVE POSSIBILITIES AND UNDERLYING POLITICS
The Paris Agreement balances ambition and differentiation, providing a historic climate change agreement with aspirational goals, binding obligations, and a rigorous oversight system.
Highly CitedTry another search
What are non-invasive options for cosmetic enhancement and skin health?
toxicity Evaluation of copper oxide nanoparticles
What are the health benefits of adopting a circadian-based eating schedule?
What are effective methods to enhance focus?
The impact of urban green spaces on public health and well-being.
The role of citizen science in contributing to scientific research and environmental conservation.