On December 12, 2015, the French capital, Paris, witnessed a historic moment when Laurent Fabius’ gavel marked the official adoption of the Paris Climate Agreement by 195 countries. At the time, the agreement was described as the first binding international treaty aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and addressing climate change through collective global action.
The objective was both clear and ambitious: to limit the rise in global average temperature to well below 2°C, while making serious efforts to cap warming at 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
Today, after a full decade, the world stands at a critical moment of assessment: What has been achieved? And where has the process fallen short?
Developments and Achievements of the First Decade
The Paris Agreement succeeded in reshaping the global climate agenda and reinforcing the United Nations’ central role as a platform for climate governance, negotiation, and coordination. Among the most notable achievements of the past ten years are the following:
Shifting the Projected Warming Trajectory-
Before the agreement, the world was heading toward a catastrophic temperature increase that could have reached 4°C by the end of the century. Today, based on current national commitments, projections indicate a reduced warming pathway of approximately 2.3 to 2.9°C. While this represents a relative improvement, it remains insufficient to meet the agreement’s core goals.
The Renewable Energy Breakthrough
The first decade of the Paris Agreement witnessed unprecedented expansion in solar and wind energy. These sources have become cheaper and faster to deploy than fossil fuels. In the first half of 2025, for the first time in history, global electricity generation from solar and wind surpassed that produced from coal.
Adoption of Net-Zero Emissions Strategies-
In 2015, net-zero targets were virtually nonexistent. Today, more than 140 countries -representing approximately 83% of global GDP- have announced commitments to achieving carbon neutrality by mid-century.
Progress in Climate Finance Mechanisms-
The launch of the Loss and Damage Fund marked a historic step toward supporting countries most vulnerable to climate impacts, following years of contentious negotiations and political resistance.
Obstacles Along the Path
Despite these achievements, the reality remains challenging, and outcomes are mixed. Significant gaps continue to threaten the long-term success of the Paris Agreement:
Crossing the 1.5°C Threshold-
Data indicate that the world experienced a temporary exceedance of the 1.5°C threshold in 2024, accompanied by increasingly frequent and intense heatwaves and extreme weather events. Scientific reports warn that the 1.5°C target may become unattainable or permanently exceeded by 2030.
The Climate Finance Gap-
Developed countries have failed to meet their pledge to mobilize USD 100 billion annually to support developing nations. Funding directed to mechanisms such as the Green Climate Fund remains far below promised levels.
Continued Dependence on Fossil Fuels-
Despite climate commitments, global subsidies for fossil fuels remain substantial, and several countries continue to expand oil and gas production directly contradicting the objectives of the Paris Agreement.
Political Volatility and Global Polarization-
The agreement has been affected by sharp political fluctuations, particularly in the United States, which withdrew from the agreement, rejoined it, and later announced intentions to withdraw again. Additionally, countries such as Russia and Saudi Arabia have played obstructive roles in blocking key decisions during negotiation rounds.
Technology and Environmental Justice
While renewable energy technologies have advanced rapidly, progress remains slow in critical areas such as energy storage, battery technologies, and the decarbonization of heavy industries.
At the same time, new challenges have emerged around so-called “green extraction.” The mining of minerals essential for the energy transition -such as lithium and copper- is often carried out through environmentally destructive or socially unjust practices, particularly in countries of the Global South.
The Next Phase: From Commitments to Implementation
The Paris Agreement was never the end of the journey; rather, it was a necessary starting point that established a global framework for accountability and transparency. However, the coming decade demands a genuine shift from ambitious pledges to concrete implementation and ethical responsibility toward future generations.
In an increasingly polarized world where security and defense priorities often overshadow climate action hope rests on the collective efforts of cities, businesses, civil society, and citizens to push beyond governmental inertia.
The Paris Agreement has served as a compass, redirecting the global ship toward the right course. Yet strong political and economic headwinds continue to make the journey toward climate safety difficult, risky, and in urgent need of unprecedented collective courage
