COP21 ends. Climate Change action begins

After two weeks of intense negotiations, COP21 draws to a close. Over this period, something truly historical has been achieved. Today, 12th December 2015, an agreement was signed in Paris, committing all nations to limiting global warming to 2°C through the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

As a result of this summit, there has been amplified global interest in Climate Change. This has culminated in the signing of the first universal agreement on global warming which contains both legally binding and voluntary aspects. This landmark achievement doesn't simply reflect the hard work from all parties involved in the summit, it represents decades of dedication from scientists, campaigners and policy makers who have fought to highlight the significance of anthropogenic climate change and its impacts.

In an interview with the Guardian, climate scientist and former Vice Chair of the IPCC, Jean-Pascal van Ypersele said that this agreement was "a recognition that the science is solid and that everyone is aware of the urgency of tackling the issue".

The moment it happened: Christiana Figures, Ban Ki Moon, Laurent Fabius, President Hollande
Source: Francois Guillot, Getty Images

Some of the key messages in the agreement are:

1. Limiting the global mean temperature rise to "well below" 2°C, with ambition to limit this further to 1.5°C. Although many vulnerable nations were pushing for an absolute 1.5°C limit, having this number in the agreement is a far greater achievement than many could have imagined when the summit commenced 

2. Developed countries are to continue financial assistance for developing nations, to enable them to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change- a goal of $100 billion has been outlined in the agreement

3. Greenhouse gas emissions should peak as soon as possible and by the second half of the century, these emissions should be balanced with carbon sinks

4. A review of the pledges should occur every five years with each one a progression on the last

Although this is the end of COP21, it is just the beginning of the global fight to cut greenhouse gas emissions and limit climate change. Today we have witnessed the signing of a landmark agreement, however there is much more that must be done over the coming years, with the need for pledges to become more ambitious. Whilst this agreement is not perfect, it demonstrates the unity of nearly 200 nations in acknowledging the importance and urgency of tackling climate change. Most crucially, it puts in place the first serious global commitment on what will be a long journey to stabilising anthropogenic impacts on the world's climate.