Precaution and post-caution in the Paris Agreement: adaptation, loss and damage and finance

Does the Paris Agreement constitute an adequate precautionary response to the current (un)certainties in keeping the global average temperature rise to safe levels? This article begins by briefly summarizing the scientific uncertainties and political challenges that the Paris Agreement is likely to face in meeting its goal. It then considers the adequacy of the Agreement’s response to these uncertainties by assessing its key provisions related to dealing with climate impacts – adaptation, loss and damage and finance. It finds that these provision are weak in the face of very possible future realities. The interests of the poorest countries, communities and individuals and the most vulnerable, in particular, are inadequately served by the Paris Agreement.Policy relevanceThe article points out that the Paris Agreement does not satisfy the provisions of UNFCCC Article 3.3, which calls for a precautionary approach to addressing the adverse effects of climate change. Further action is needed to strengthen the provisions on mitigation and dealing with the impacts of climate change in the face of uncertainty.