Question

Which of the following international treaty aims to address the climate change by limiting global warming below 2$^\circ$ Celsius above pre-industrial levels?

• A. Montreal Protocol
• B. Paris agreement
• C. Kyoto protocol
• D. Copenhagen Accord

Hint:

• The Paris Agreement (2015) is the key international treaty addressing climate change.
• Its central goal is to limit global average temperature increase to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, and to pursue efforts to limit it to 1.5°C.
• It relies on Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) from participating countries.
• Kyoto Protocol focused on emission reduction targets for developed countries for an earlier period.
• Montreal Protocol addresses ozone layer depletion.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

The question asks which international treaty aims to address climate change by keeping global warming below 2°C above pre-industrial levels. Let's analyze each option to determine the correct answer:

1. Montreal Protocol: This treaty focuses on protecting the ozone layer by phasing out the production of numerous substances responsible for ozone depletion, not specifically aimed at climate change limits.
2. Paris Agreement: An international treaty under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), it addresses climate change with a crucial goal: limiting global warming to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, aiming for 1.5°C if possible.
3. Kyoto Protocol: This is another climate treaty, but it primarily commits countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions with different targets for various nations, rather than setting a specific temperature goal.
4. Copenhagen Accord: While it acknowledges the scientific view that the increase in global temperature should be below 2°C, it lacks the binding legal force that the Paris Agreement encompasses.

Based on the goal of limiting temperature increases to below 2°C, the Paris Agreement is the correct choice. It specifically stipulates this aim and constitutes legally binding commitments to tackle climate change.