The Paris Agreement, signed in 2015, is a global pact designed to combat climate change and limit global warming to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels. The agreement recognized the need for both adaptation and mitigation measures to achieve this goal.

Adaptation refers to the measures taken to adjust or manage the impacts of climate change. This includes preparing for and responding to events like floods, droughts, and rising sea levels. The Paris Agreement recognized the vulnerability of developing countries to the impacts of climate change and called on developed countries to provide financial and technological support for adaptation efforts.

Mitigation, on the other hand, involves reducing greenhouse gas emissions to limit the extent and pace of climate change. The Paris Agreement set a target of limiting global warming to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, with a goal of achieving a temperature rise of no more than 1.5°C. To achieve this, countries are required to submit their own nationally determined contributions (NDCs) outlining their plans to reduce emissions.

The Paris Agreement also recognized the importance of a just transition to a low-carbon economy, ensuring that the burden of adaptation and mitigation efforts does not fall disproportionately on vulnerable communities or developing countries.

Since the Paris Agreement was signed, countries have made progress in implementing both adaptation and mitigation measures. However, the recent COVID-19 pandemic has created new challenges for climate action, as countries focus on economic recovery rather than climate goals.

As the world continues to grapple with the impacts of climate change, the need for both adaptation and mitigation measures remains urgent. The Paris Agreement provides a framework for global cooperation on this critical issue, but it is up to individual countries to take action and make the necessary changes to reduce emissions and adapt to a changing climate.