The Paris Agreement, also known as the Paris Climate Accord, is a legally binding international treaty on climate change. It was adopted by 196 parties at the 21st Conference of the Parties (COP21) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) on December 12, 2015, in Paris, France.

The main aim of the agreement is to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius. This was done by setting a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to net-zero by the second half of this century, with each country submitting its own specific targets for reducing emissions.

The text of the Paris Agreement consists of 29 articles and an annex. The articles cover a range of topics, including the long-term goal of the agreement, the commitments of parties, mitigation efforts, adaptation measures, finance, technology transfer, capacity-building, transparency, and compliance.

One of the key features of the Paris Agreement is the concept of nationally determined contributions (NDCs). Each country is required to submit its own NDC, which details the actions it will take to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. These actions can include setting targets for renewable energy, improving energy efficiency, and implementing carbon pricing mechanisms.

The Paris Agreement also includes provisions for climate finance, which aims to mobilize financial resources to support developing countries in their efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change. Developed countries are required to provide financial resources to developing countries, and to report on the amount and nature of this support.

The Paris Agreement has been hailed as a historic achievement, as it represents the first time that nearly all countries have come together to address the global issue of climate change. However, the agreement continues to face challenges, including the withdrawal of the United States under the Trump administration and the slow progress of some countries in meeting their NDCs.

Overall, the text of the Paris Agreement is a comprehensive and ambitious document that provides a roadmap for global action on climate change. Its success will depend on the political will and collective efforts of all parties to implement its provisions and achieve its goals.