May 1, 2024
Updated May 9, 2025
22 minute read
The Paris Agreement is a landmark international treaty on climate change, adopted by 196 Parties at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP21) in Paris, France, on December 12, 2015. It entered into force on November 4, 2016. At its core, the Agreement aims to substantially reduce global greenhouse gas emissions to limit the global temperature increase in this century to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, while pursuing efforts to limit the increase even further to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Understanding this critical agreement is becoming increasingly important for individuals across various fields and for those seeking impactful career paths.
Working in areas related to the Paris Agreement can be intellectually stimulating and deeply rewarding. Imagine contributing to global efforts to combat climate change, shaping policies that influence national and international actions, or developing innovative solutions for a sustainable future. You might find yourself analyzing complex data to track progress towards emission reduction goals, engaging in international negotiations, or helping communities adapt to the impacts of climate change. The multifaceted nature of the Agreement means there are diverse opportunities to make a tangible difference.
Introduction to the Paris Agreement
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Find a path to becoming a Paris Agreement. Learn more at:
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Reading list
We've selected 26 books
that we think will supplement your
learning. Use these to
develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a
deeper understanding of the topics covered in
Paris Agreement.
Provides a comprehensive legal analysis and commentary on each article of the Paris Agreement. It details the scientific, political, and social drivers, the negotiating history, and the legal nature of the obligations. It's an invaluable resource for understanding the intricacies of the Agreement and is suitable for academics, practitioners, and policymakers involved in its implementation.
This handbook offers a systematic analysis of the Paris Agreement since its entry into force. It explores the Agreement's capacity as an international legal instrument to compel state action and critically examines various aspects through contributions from leading experts. It's highly relevant for researchers and practitioners focusing on the legal dimensions of the Paris Agreement.
A foundational textbook offering a comprehensive overview of international climate change law, including the UNFCCC, Kyoto Protocol, and the Paris Agreement. It examines the evolution of the legal regime, key principles, and institutional architecture. is essential for students and scholars seeking a clear analytical guide to the field and is often used in academic settings.
Presents a comprehensive study of states' obligations on climate change mitigation under international law. It analyzes obligations arising from treaties, customary international law, and human rights treaties. It's particularly useful for those interested in the legal enforceability and interpretation of mitigation commitments.
This textbook surveys the international law on climate change, explaining how agreements promote compliance with international law norms. It provides an account of rules agreed under the UNFCCC and other forums, covering mitigation, adaptation, and loss and damage. Suitable for undergraduate and graduate students in climate, environmental, or international law.
An authoritative handbook providing an overview of international climate change law. It covers the legal issues, institutions, principles, and litigation surrounding climate change, with contributions from a range of experts. This valuable resource for scholars, students, and practitioners seeking diverse perspectives on the field.
This volume from the Elgar Encyclopedia of Environmental Law guides the reader through the rapidly evolving scholarship in climate change law. It focuses on underlying concepts relevant to researchers, students, and policymakers, covering mitigation and adaptation from international and national perspectives. It useful reference tool for exploring key concepts and debates.
Focuses on climate change litigation in developing countries, highlighting their unique contributions to addressing climate change and the issues of climate justice. is highly relevant to understanding contemporary legal challenges and the role of the courts in driving climate action in the context of the Paris Agreement.
Authored by a leading scholar in international environmental law, this book explores the process of international lawmaking in this field. It provides foundational knowledge on how agreements like the Paris Agreement are negotiated and shaped, offering valuable context for understanding the legal framework.
Provides a practical guide to the Paris Agreement for lawyers and policymakers. It explains the agreement's key provisions and offers guidance on how to implement them.
While not solely focused on the Paris Agreement, this book provides essential context on carbon markets, a key mechanism for implementing climate goals. It covers theoretical aspects and practical applications of emissions trading and carbon finance. Useful for understanding the economic and business dimensions related to the Paris Agreement's implementation.
Examines the actions needed at various levels – personal, local, national, and global – to achieve net-zero emissions. It provides a balanced view on why past efforts have fallen short and how a net-zero strategy can succeed, offering valuable insights relevant to the implementation challenges of the Paris Agreement.
Delves into the tactics used to delay action on climate change, including the deflection of responsibility onto individuals and the promotion of false solutions. While broader than the Paris Agreement, it provides crucial context on the political and social challenges impacting the Agreement's effectiveness and ambition.
Provides a guide to the Paris Agreement for corporate practitioners. It explains the agreement's key provisions and offers guidance on how to comply with them.
A critical look at the relationship between capitalism and the climate crisis, arguing that the scale of the climate challenge requires transformative political and economic change. Provides a broader socio-political context for the challenges faced in achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement.
Offers a solutions-oriented approach to the climate crisis, presenting a framework for regeneration across various sectors. It provides practical examples and strategies relevant to achieving the mitigation and adaptation goals outlined in the Paris Agreement, complementing legal and policy understanding with tangible actions.
This historical account focuses on the decade from 1979 to 1989 and the early efforts to address climate change, highlighting the political and industrial resistance encountered. Provides important historical context for the long and challenging road to international climate agreements like the Paris Agreement.
Examines the evolution of international climate law in the lead-up to the Paris Agreement. It provides a critical analysis of the key legal developments and offers recommendations for how to strengthen the global response to climate change.
Provides a comprehensive commentary on the Paris Agreement. It provides a detailed analysis of each article of the agreement and offers guidance on its interpretation.
Presents a collection of actionable solutions to climate change. While not focused on the legal or political aspects of the Paris Agreement, it offers valuable insights into the technical and social measures needed to achieve emissions reductions, which are the ultimate goal of the Agreement.
A comprehensive introduction to climate change, bringing together contributions from numerous experts across disciplines. It explains the science, impacts, and what needs to be done. While accessible to a broad audience, it provides foundational knowledge crucial for understanding the scientific basis and urgency behind the Paris Agreement's goals.
A collection of essays and poetry by women leading the climate movement. Offers diverse perspectives on the climate crisis and potential solutions. While not a legal or policy text, it provides important social and ethical context for the urgency and human dimensions of the climate action called for by the Paris Agreement.
Explores the role of culture, history, and politics in the face of climate change, questioning why there lack of engagement with the crisis in literature and public discourse. Offers a critical perspective on the societal and cultural barriers to effective climate action and the full realization of the Paris Agreement's ambition.
Provides a guide to the Paris Agreement for businesses. It explains the agreement's key provisions and offers guidance on how to comply with them.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/topic/h6smen/paris
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