The Paris Agreement: Options for an effective compliance and implementation mechanism

With a record number of parties to the UNFCCC ratifying it in the 11 months since its adoption, the Paris Agreement will enter into force before the end of 2016. Its parties will then be legally bound to comply with their commitment to implement it. The agreement establishes a mechanism to facilitate its implementation and promote compliance with its provisions. This paper explores options for the parties, who must now develop modalities and guidelines for the mechanism to ensure the agreement’s full and effective implementation.