The Paris Agreement, adopted in 2015, is an international treaty aimed at combating climate change and limiting global warming to below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. It is a landmark agreement that was signed by 195 countries, including the United States, China, and India, who are among the world`s largest emitters of greenhouse gases.

As part of the Paris Agreement, each country is expected to submit a pledge to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, known as a Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC). These pledges are intended to be updated every five years, with the first round of updates due in 2020.

The 2020 NDCs are particularly significant as they are the first major opportunity for countries to revise their climate pledges since the Paris Agreement was adopted. The updated pledges will be crucial in ensuring that global temperature rise is kept to below 2 degrees Celsius, as outlined in the Paris Agreement.

As of October 2020, many countries have already submitted their updated NDCs. Some of the most notable pledges include:

– European Union: The EU has pledged to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels. This is a significant increase from its previous pledge of a 40% reduction.

– China: China, the world`s largest emitter of greenhouse gases, has pledged to reach peak emissions by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060.

– United States: The United States, which withdrew from the Paris Agreement under the Trump administration, has announced its intention to rejoin the agreement. The country has not yet submitted an updated NDC, but the incoming Biden administration has promised to make significant reductions to greenhouse gas emissions.

While these updated NDCs are a step in the right direction, some experts argue that they are not ambitious enough to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement. In particular, many countries have failed to address the need for a rapid transition to renewable energy sources.

Overall, the 2020 NDCs represent an important opportunity for countries to take action on climate change. As the effects of climate change become more severe, it is crucial that countries work together to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and limit global temperature rise.