The Paris Agreement, also known as the Paris Climate Accord, is a legally binding international treaty signed by 196 parties. These parties include 195 countries and the European Union, all of which are committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and preventing global temperatures from rising more than 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.

The Paris Agreement was adopted at the 21st United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of the Parties (COP21) in December 2015. It was the result of years of negotiations, and marked a historic moment in international efforts to address climate change. The agreement came into force on November 4, 2016.

The Paris Agreement aims to strengthen the ability of countries to deal with the impacts of climate change, and to encourage efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It sets out a long-term goal of keeping the increase in global average temperature to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, and pursuing efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

To achieve these goals, the Paris Agreement requires all parties to submit and regularly update nationally determined contributions (NDCs), outlining their efforts to reduce emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change. The agreement also establishes a transparency and accountability framework, to ensure that countries are meeting their commitments and to facilitate international cooperation.

Despite being a landmark agreement, the Paris Agreement has faced criticism and challenges. In June 2017, United States President Donald Trump announced that the US would withdraw from the agreement, citing concerns about the impact on American workers and the economy. However, the US officially remained a party to the agreement until November 4, 2020, the earliest date possible for withdrawal following the initial decision.

Despite this setback, the remaining 195 parties to the Paris Agreement have continued to work toward its goals. Many countries have set ambitious targets for reducing emissions and transitioning to renewable energy sources, and the agreement has generated momentum for international cooperation on climate change.

In summary, the Paris Agreement is a historic international treaty signed by 196 parties, aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and limiting global temperature increases. It has faced criticism and challenges, but has also generated significant progress in global efforts to address climate change. As climate change continues to be a pressing issue, it is important that parties to the Paris Agreement continue to work together and strive toward its goals.