The Paris Agreement

By LYDIA BREARLEY
Updated June 2026

What is the Paris Agreement?

  • The Paris Agreement is a global agreement where countries work together to fight climate change.

  • It aims to limit global warming by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

  • It was adopted by 195 Parties at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP21) in Paris, France, on 12 December 2015.

  • It was created through the United Nations and is part of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

Why is it important for fashion?

  • The fashion industry produces high levels of pollution, carbon emissions, and waste.

  • The Paris Agreement matters for fashion because it:

    → Encourages brands to cut carbon emissions

    → Pushes for cleaner energy and production

    → Supports more sustainable materials

    → Promotes responsible supply chains

    → Many fashion companies now set “climate targets” because of this agreement.

Background and Context

  • Before the Paris Agreement, countries struggled to agree on strong climate action.

  • In 2015, governments came together to create one shared plan to protect the planet.

  • For the first time, almost every country agreed to take responsibility for climate change.

  • This made the Paris Agreement a major step forward in global environmental policy.

Timeline and Key Dates

  • 1992 – UNFCCC is created

  • 2015 – Paris Agreement is adopted in Paris

  • 2016 – Agreement officially entered into force on 6th November 2016.

  • 2020 – Countries begin reporting climate plans

  • 2020 - The US resigned from The Paris Agreement

  • 2021 - The US rejoined The Paris Agreement under President Biden

  • 2023 – First global progress review

  • 2025 - January 2025 US Presidency resigned from The Paris Agreement

  • NOTE: Countries update their climate goals every five years

Current Status

  • Currently, as of 27 January 2026, there are 194 Parties to the Paris Agreement.

  • Many governments and businesses, including fashion brands, are working to meet its goals. However, progress is slow, and emissions are still rising in many places

Further Reading and Official Sources

→ United Nations Climate Change (UNFCCC) website

→ United Nations Paris Agreement page

→ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports

→ Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action