What Has Changed in a Decade?
Signed on December 12, 2015, the Paris Agreement stands not only as a landmark in the fight against climate change but also as a pivotal moment in the history of global cooperation. For the first time, nearly 195 countries -developed and developing alike-rallied around a shared objective: to keep global temperature rise well below 2°C, and preferably limit it to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
Over the past decade, the Paris Agreement has been a focal point of both ambition and challenge. Through their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), countries announced their climate pledges—some have raised their targets, while others remain at the starting line. Although global emissions have not declined, the pace of increase has slowed in several regions. Green technologies have advanced, climate finance debates have intensified, and public and private sector expectations have evolved.
Yet, this ten-year journey may still be just the beginning. The true strength of the Paris Agreement lies not only in keeping countries at the table, but in its ability to drive concrete action. As we approach the end of 2025, we stand at a critical juncture to assess what the Agreement has truly changed- and what remains to be done.
This article is an invitation to reflect on the Paris Agreement’s achievements, the tests it has faced, and the reasons it continues to hold central importance in the climate agenda.
What Has the Paris Agreement Brought and What Has It Changed?
The Paris Agreement is more than just an environmental accord—it marked the beginning of a new era in international cooperation. Adopted in 2015 at COP21, the Agreement represents both a shift in method and a transformation in mindset in the fight against climate change.
Its predecessor, the Kyoto Protocol, imposed top-down emissions reduction targets primarily on developed nations. However, it failed to effectively engage developing countries and achieved only limited success in practice. The Paris Agreement acknowledged this limitation and charted a completely different course.
A Paradigm Shift: The National Commitment Model
By allowing all countries—developed and developing alike—to set their own emissions reduction targets (Nationally Determined Contributions, or NDCs), Paris universalized responsibility. While the targets are voluntary in nature, they come with high expectations: transparency, accountability, and a progressive increase in ambition over time.
The Agreement rests on three core principles:
A lower threshold: Keeping global temperature rise well below 2°C, ideally limited to 1.5°C
Adaptation: Recognizing climate adaptation as equally important as mitigation
Climate finance: Supporting developing countries during the transition
A New Form of Governance
Another critical distinction of the Paris Agreement is how it reframes climate change—not merely as an environmental issue but as a development challenge inherently tied to economics, energy, infrastructure, and social equity.
Thanks to this governance approach:
- National development plans and climate policies began to merge
- Climate became a cross-ministerial issue, extending beyond environment ministries to include finance, energy, and industry portfolios
- Private sector actors, local governments, and civil society emerged as more visible and active participants
The Paris Agreement does not centralize responsibility in the state alone—it creates a platform for multi-stakeholder implementation. For this reason, it is viewed not merely as a target-setting treaty but as a governance architecture that enables systemic transformation.
A Decade of Impact: Achievements and Limitations
Ten years after the adoption of the Paris Agreement, climate agendas are gaining more traction across the globe. Yet, this progress has not occurred at the same pace or depth everywhere. While the Agreement has left a visible mark in many areas, significant structural challenges persist.
Growing Awareness and Institutionalization
One of the most tangible successes of the Paris Agreement has been its role in bringing climate change to the center of global policymaking. According to the OECD’s 2025 assessment, without the Agreement, the current level of progress on emission reduction, target setting, and prioritization of climate action would not have been possible.
At the national level: In countries party to the Agreement, climate action has become a key element of development, economic, and energy strategies—not just environmental policy.
At the international level: Climate finance, adaptation frameworks, and technology transfer initiatives increasingly reference the Paris Agreement as a guiding framework.
Limited Progress on Emissions
Despite these positive developments, the emission reductions needed to meet the temperature goals of the Agreement have yet to be fully realized. According to OECD’s 2025 analysis:
- The Paris Agreement contributed to lowering emissions.
- However, current efforts are still not aligned with the 1.5°C target.
- While national targets have become more ambitious, actual implementation often lags behind.
Why Are Efforts Falling Short?
Research points to several key barriers to effective climate policy implementation:
Infrastructure gaps: Many countries still lack the systems required to support a transition to renewable energy.
Public acceptance: The social and financial costs of climate policies sometimes face resistance from the public.
Financing shortfalls: Both public and private resources remain insufficient. In developing countries in particular, financial support plays a crucial role.
Policy continuity: Election cycles and political instability challenge the consistent implementation of long-term climate policies.
The Real Contribution of the Paris Agreement: Not Just Emissions, But a New Governance Model
Reducing emissions is only part of what the Paris Agreement represents. Its truly transformative power lies in the new form of global environmental governance it introduced.
From Top-Down Targets to Voluntary Commitments
Unlike the Kyoto Protocol, the Paris Agreement gave all countries the autonomy to set their own Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). This approach:
- Enabled more active participation from developing countries
- Fostered a stronger sense of ownership over climate goals
- Laid the groundwork for progressively more ambitious targets
A New Understanding of Responsibility
The traditional divide between developed and developing countries was replaced by a more inclusive notion of “common but differentiated responsibilities.” This shift:
- Made global negotiations more participatory
- Reinforced the understanding that the climate crisis is everyone’s problem
Monitoring, Transparency, and Trust
The Paris Agreement didn’t stop at setting goals. It also introduced transparency mechanisms -such as regular reporting and progress tracking- that increased accountability both domestically and within the international community.
A Blueprint for Multilateralism
Today, the Paris model is viewed as a leading example of multilateral cooperation, applicable even beyond climate policy. In areas such as global health, environmental challenges, and digital governance, similar principles are being adopted:
- Voluntary agreements with baseline standards
- Periodic review and updates
- Progress driven by collective pressure and accountability
At the 10-Year Mark: Where Is the Paris Agreement Headed?
As the Agreement turns 10, the conversation is shifting from founding principles to actual results and long-term impact. Slower global emissions growth and the central placement of climate action on political agendas can largely be credited to the Paris framework. But the real test is only just beginning.
The True Challenge: Implementation and Trust
The future of the Agreement will depend not only on the promises countries make—but on their ability to deliver. As the report highlights, key barriers remain:
- Infrastructure investment gaps
- Transitioning to clean technologies
- Policy continuity through political cycles
- Securing public support
The Stakes for Global Climate Diplomacy
The Paris Agreement is now seen as a model for future international accords. Should it fail, the damage would not be limited to climate action -it would undermine confidence in multilateralism itself. That’s why the 10th anniversary is not just a milestone – it’s a test of trust.
Where Does Hope Lie?
According to the report, a broad consensus among experts and policymakers agrees that the Paris Agreement has:
- Strengthened global emission targets
- Reshaped national climate policies
- Deepened international cooperation
This confidence is more than a reflection of the past. It signals a collective will to build the future.
Discover ADRİstanbul’s Contributions to Climate Action
The Paris Agreement envisions not only states but also institutions, cities, and civil society playing a vital role in advancing global climate goals. ADRİstanbul supports this transformation by offering neutral, solution-oriented, and sustainable approaches for organizations.
In managing climate-related risks and responsibilities, the flexibility and consensus-building power of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) methods are more crucial than ever. ADRİstanbul integrates this potential into institutional decision-making and governance processes.
What Kind of Support Do We Offer?
- Establishing dialogue and cooperation mechanisms among stakeholders in green transition projects
- Ethical governance consulting aligned with climate objectives
- Preventive mediation models for decision-making processes with environmental and social impacts
- Facilitation of internal ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) policy adoption through guided sessions
- Bridging diverse stakeholder perspectives in climate finance, carbon markets, and adaptation projects
Which Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Does This Work Support?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Paris Agreement?
The Paris Agreement is a global climate accord adopted in 2015 aiming to limit global temperature rise to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels—preferably to 1.5°C. It requires all countries to set, report, and periodically update their national climate goals.
Why is it so important?
It was the first time all countries came together under a single, inclusive framework to tackle climate change. The agreement laid the foundation for a new global order in emissions reduction, climate adaptation, financing, and international cooperation.
What has it achieved in 10 years?
The Agreement helped elevate climate action as a policy priority in many nations. Investments in renewable energy have increased, and the private sector has started to take climate risk more seriously. However, global emissions are still not declining at the necessary pace.
Is Turkiye a party to the Paris Agreement?
Yes. Turkiye ratified the Agreement in 2021 and declared a net-zero target for 2053. Several strategic documents are currently being prepared to guide mitigation and adaptation policies.
How does the Paris Agreement relate to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?
The Agreement is closely linked to SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 7 (Clean Energy), SDG 9 (Innovation), SDG 12 (Sustainable Consumption), SDG 16 (Strong Institutions), and SDG 17 (Partnerships). Climate action is interconnected with many of the SDGs.
What comes after the Paris Agreement?
The post-2025 period will focus on strengthening the Agreement through new national commitments. COP29 and COP30 will be critical milestones. Success will depend on how effectively pledges are implemented.
