Context

• Ten years after the adoption of the Paris Agreement at COP21, the world faces a defining moment in its struggle against climate change.
• Despite the global pledge to keep warming well below 2°C and strive for 1.5°C, emissions and temperatures continue to rise at alarming rates.
• Floods, droughts, and heatwaves strike with increasing intensity, from Uttarakhand to Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir, reminding humanity that the climate crisis is no longer a distant threat but a lived reality.
• Yet, amid these challenges, the Paris framework has changed the world’s trajectory, demonstrating that collective determination and multilateral cooperation can alter the course of history.

From a 5°C Future to a 2°C Pathway

• Before 2015, the planet was heading toward a catastrophic 4°C–5°C of warming by the century’s end.
• Through global commitment and cooperation, that curve has been bent downward toward 2°C–3°C.
• This remains far from the safe zone identified by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), yet it represents undeniable progress.
• The shift proves that collective action works, and that multilateralism, though imperfect, remains essential.
• The Paris Agreement’s success lies in its fairness, flexibility, and solidarity, enabling countries with different capabilities to contribute according to their national circumstances while sharing responsibility for the global good.

A Decade After Paris Accord: Transforming the Global Economy

• The past decade has witnessed a turning point in global energy and economic systems. Ten years ago, fossil fuels were the cheapest and most competitive energy source.
• Today, renewables such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power are leading new waves of growth and employment.
• This transformation marks a breakthrough for energy security, economic sovereignty, and environmental resilience.
• Equally remarkable is the rise of electric mobility. What once seemed an elusive dream has become a worldwide phenomenon.
• With electric vehicles accounting for nearly 20% of global new car sales, the transportation sector stands at the brink of a historic shift away from fossil fuels.

The Power of Partnership: The International Solar Alliance (ISA)

• Among the most inspiring achievements of the Paris decade stands the ISA, conceived at COP21 through the collaboration of India and France.
• What began as a visionary idea has evolved into a global coalition of over 120 countries, dedicated to making solar energy accessible to all.
• The ISA demonstrates how multilateralism can translate vision into action, fostering capacity building, financing mechanisms, and technological exchange.
• India’s leadership within this alliance reflects its growing stature in the global green transition.
• By securing 50% of its installed electricity capacity from non-fossil sources five years ahead of schedule, India shows that development and decarbonisation can advance together.

Priorities for the Next Decade

• First, global ambition must rise sharply. Despite improvements, current pledges remain insufficient.
  • Nations must act decisively to reduce carbon emissions and preserve a liveable planet.
• Second, the global transition must be just and inclusive, protecting the most vulnerable communities.
  • Investments in adaptation and resilience, through mechanisms such as the Green Climate Fund, the Loss and Damage Fund, and initiatives like CREWS—are vital to ensure that no nation or community is left behind.
• Third, the protection of natural carbon sinks, forests, mangroves, and oceans, must become a universal priority.
  • These ecosystems, from the Amazon to the Sundarbans, are the planet’s best allies in absorbing carbon and safeguarding biodiversity.
• Fourth, non-state actors must be empowered. Local governments, scientists, businesses, and citizens play decisive roles in translating ambition into tangible outcomes.
  • Their engagement transforms global commitments into visible, community-level results.
• Fifth, science must guide the transition. In an era clouded by misinformation, defending the integrity of the IPCC and promoting climate education are essential to ensure that facts, not fear, shape global decisions.

Conclusion

• A decade after Paris, the world’s climate journey stands at a crossroads between progress and peril.
• The achievements of the past ten years reveal a powerful truth: when nations unite under shared purpose, transformation follows.
• The Paris Agreement has redefined the global climate order, proving that multilateralism can deliver measurable change, that renewable energy can drive prosperity, and that adaptation and equity can coexist with ambition.
• The future remains uncertain, but the direction is clear. The world has chosen a path toward sustainability, and that path, however demanding, is unstoppable.