While it is true that many people are expectant about the Paris Agreement, among other things because of its starting difficulties, it is also true that it is an extremely powerful document, accepted by almost every nation on the planet. It is a universal agreement that establishes measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This in itself is an important strength, since for now there is no other agreement that surpasses it. So we must all hold onto the flag of the Paris Agreement and hold onto its mandates. We can do this in various ways, but the most important is to put pressure on our leaders to strive to put their nations into action according to the letter and spirit of the Agreement.

Also strength of the Paris Agreement is its role in raising awareness in the world, reinforcing what was initiated by the Kyoto Protocol, on the main environmental issues. The agreement signed in the French capital in 2015, added to the constant work of the UN and that of other environmental entities that fight against climate change, have made the eyes and ears of many people focus on issues such as global warming, greenhouse gas emissions, melting ice, rising sea levels, air, water and soil pollution, damage caused by single-use plastics, the use of coal for electricity generation, water scarcity, deforestation of forests, forest fires caused by drought and excess heat.

On the other hand, the Paris Agreement, with its goals to reduce temperature and greenhouse gas emissions, is an inducer of countries, cities, industries, universities, and people. With them, significant growth is being achieved in the production of cars and transportation systems powered by clean fuels, an accelerated manufacture of photovoltaic solar panels and a large number of wind generators, to supply clean electricity to millions of people in the world.

As reported by the Secretary General of the UN, Antonio Guterres, during the Summit for Climate Ambition, “the actors of the real economy are making this ambition coincide with 23 regions, 524 cities, 1,397 companies, 569 universities and 76 investors that they are now joining the –Race to Zero– campaign. All of these actors meet rigorous criteria, including presenting a plan in line with science, and setting an interim target, creating a more consistent and transparent approach to achieving net zero emissions.”

The alliance for net zero emissions encourages parties to the Paris Agreement “to commit to the same ambition –such as those of the Alliance for Climate Ambition– and which now cover almost 70% of GDP, according to the latest analysis. Companies participating in the Race to Zero campaign have combined annual revenues of $ 9.81 trillion, with new partners including Arup, BT Pension, GlaxoSmithKline, KPMG International Limited, Primark and Sony” according to the same report.

We at SGK-Planet, in “Our proposal to stop climate change” dated 01-19-2020, had said: “We must continue to trust the UN, the COPs and the Paris Agreement. But, as of this year 2020, the fight against climate change must take a drastic, unprecedented turn, oriented towards new forms, new procedures, and new actors … focused on the energy transition, which is just one of the many challenges that must be faced for the benefit of life on the planet. However, eliminating a high percentage of fossil fuel use in 20 years would be a major victory for humanity.

Sandor A. Gerendas-Kiss