--- title: COP 21 - Last Tango in Paris? description: COP 21 - Last Tango in Paris? image: https://go.adherent.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Blog-last-tango2.jpg --- [![](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/wp-content/themes/compliancerisk/inc/img/general/compliancelogo.svg)](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/) - Products Products - - [C2P](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/c2p-compliance-knowledge-management-platform/) - [Regulations Management](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/solutions/conquering-the-regulatory-avalanche/) - [Standards Management](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/solutions/standards/) - [Requirements Management](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/solutions/heres-the-regulation-whats-next/) - [Regulatory Topics](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/solutions/regulated-areas/) - [WFSGI Compliant Labelling Requirements Database](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/WFSGI/) - Services Services - [Market Access Service](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/solutions/grow-in-new-markets/) - [Regulatory Process Consulting](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/solutions/best-practices-in-compliance-processes/) - [Environmental, Health & Safety (EH&S)](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/solutions/ehs-and-your-legal-registers/) - [Managed Services](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/solutions/solutions-for-every-day/) - [Training and Systems Implementation](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/solutions/training-and-systems-implementation/) - [Ask Our Experts](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/solutions/your-compliance-question) - Resources News & Resources - [Blog](https://blog.complianceandrisks.com/news-resources?__hstc=67571022.c37393069837d66fdddfdab74b5ad3c6.1593078357468.1593078357468.1593078357468.1&__hssc=67571022.1.1593078357469&__hsfp=693435645) - [Commentary & Analysis](https://blog.complianceandrisks.com/commentary-analysis?__hstc=67571022.c37393069837d66fdddfdab74b5ad3c6.1593078357468.1593078357468.1593078357468.1&__hssc=67571022.1.1593078357469&__hsfp=693435645) - [COVID-19](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/covid-19/) - [Webinars](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/webinars/) - [White Papers & eBooks](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/whitepapers/) - [About](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/about/) Compliance & Risks - [About Us](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/about/) - [Industries](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/compliance-requirements-industries/) - [History](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/compliance-and-risks-history/) - [Careers](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/compliance-risks-careers/) - [Knowledge Partners](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/knowledge-partners/) - [Partners & Affiliates](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/becoming-a-compliance-risks-partner/) - [Get in touch](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/contact/) COVID-19 Regulatory Developments [Find Out More](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/covid-19/) - [Book a demo](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/book-a-demo/) - [Eng](https://complianceandrisks.com) - [日本語](http://complianceandrisks.jp/) ![](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/wp-content/themes/compliancerisk/inc/img/general/burger.svg) Search for: # COP 21 - Last Tango in Paris? --- ##### 26 November 2015 [![Climate Change Regulations](https://go.adherent.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Blog-last-tango2.jpg?width=150&height=150&name=Blog-last-tango2.jpg)](https://go.adherent.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Blog-last-tango2.jpg)As the UN COP 21 climate change talks kick off in Paris on 30 November, the stakes have never been higher. Representatives from 196 parties have just 12 days to agree on a legally binding agreement limiting emissions that cause global warming. Their goal? A global agreement on climate change that keeps average global temperature from rising more than 2 degrees C compared to pre-industrial levels. However, to achieve this goal, it is imperative that businesses around the world are part of this agreement. Since the disappointment of the collapse of the talks in Copenhagen 2009, hopes for the forthcoming summit had dwindled somewhat. However, the recent terrorist attacks in Paris have added a whole new dimension to these discussions resulting in an unprecedented sense of solidarity and determination to succeed. There is a renewed sense of optimism that perhaps these talks will succeed. As of 25 November, 178 parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) had formally submitted their Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) - an indication in and of itself that countries are taking this matter seriously.  This bottom-up approach designed to entrust participating countries with the task of defining the climate actions they are able and willing to take under a new international agreement contrasts heavily with the top-down approach adopted previously where countries were asked to comply with global targets – an approach that ultimately led to failure. Also unlike previous climate talks, China and the US are playing ball and indeed both demonstrated a willingness to take climate change much more seriously last November, when they issued the U.S.-China Joint Announcement on Climate Change.  A sense of optimism, albeit cautious optimism, is permeating the build-up to this momentous occasion. As the UNFCC Executive Secretary Christiana Figueres said: "The Paris Agreement is not only possible, it is necessary and urgent. We are counting on everyone’s contribution." So how can you, as a business owner, contribute? - Reduce your carbon emissions. Look at IKEA, Nestle and H&M who have also issued their own clean energy goals! - Set corporate renewable energy goals. Join the likes of Apple and Facebook both of whom have set 100% renewable energy goals. - Put peer pressure on counterparts in the private sector. - Forge ties with governmental and non-governmental officials to lobby for greater climate action.  For example, membership of non-profit organizations such as Business Social Responsibility (BSR), Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) and Ceres, can help you advocate a sustainable economic future through liaising with like-minded companies, investors and public interest groups. - Participate in one of the many side-events scheduled to take place alongside the climate talks. Although businesses themselves are unable to attend the COP 21 negotiations, the private sector can become involved by attending numerous side events (e.g. Sustainable Innovation Forum) that will accompany the climate talks in Paris. The Paris summit represents the last opportunity for a global agreement to limit global warming. The emissions' reduction pledges agreed in Paris should be the beginning and not the end of a move towards zero emissions.  Let this not be the last tango in Paris.   ![Picture of Joanne O'Donnell](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/d3853fbd8712cbf1fe60c7345e7426b9) ### Written by [Joanne O'Donnell](https://go.adherent.com/commentary-analysis-old/author/joanne-odonnell) - - - - ## Featured Posts --- ![Stacey Bowers to Present at ICPHSO 2022 Annual Meeting & Training Symposium](https://go.adherent.com/hubfs/icphso%202022%20(1).png) [Stacey Bowers to Present at ICPHSO 2022 Annual Meeting & Training Symposium](https://go.adherent.com/news-resources/stacey-bowers-to-present-at-icphso-2022-annual-meeting-training-symposium) 26 January 2022 ![Regulating Explosive Atmospheres in the Workplace](https://go.adherent.com/hubfs/Regulating%20Explosive%20Atmospheres%20in%20the%20Workplace.png) [Regulating Explosive Atmospheres in the Workplace](https://go.adherent.com/news-resources/regulating-explosive-atmospheres-in-the-workplace) 25 January 2022 ![What's Trending in Product Compliance?](https://go.adherent.com/hubfs/Trending%20Jan%2022.png) [What's Trending in Product Compliance?](https://go.adherent.com/news-resources/whats-trending-in-compliance-jan-22) 24 January 2022 #### Ireland Office   Unit 9 Eastgate Avenue Eastgate Business Park Little Island Cork Ireland +353 (0)21 435 1990 [info@complianceandrisks.com](mailto:info@complianceandrisks.com) #### US Offices   New York 50 Fountain Plaza Suite 1400 Buffalo NY 14202 +1 716 939 1951   California P.O.Box 309 8712 Marysville Road Oregon House, CA 95962 – 0309 +1 530 216 4455 [![Compliance Logo](https://go.adherent.com/hubfs/Compliance_and_Risks_January2018/Images/compliancelogo.svg)](http://www.complianceandrisks.com/) #### Information - [Solutions](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/c2p-platform/) - [Industries](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/industry-solutions/) - [News & Resources](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/resources/) - [About Us](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/about-us/) - [Get in touch](https://www.complianceandrisks.com/contact/) - [About Us](http://www.complianceandrisks.com/about/) - [Get in touch](http://www.complianceandrisks.com/contact/) [![Compliance Logo](https://go.adherent.com/hubfs/Compliance_and_Risks_January2018/Images/compliancelogo.svg)](http://www.complianceandrisks.com/) © 2021 Compliance and Risks Ltd. | [Privacy Policy](http://www.complianceandrisks.com/privacy-policy/)