The Paris Agreement is a landmark international treaty on climate change that was adopted by 195 countries in December 2015. The agreement aims to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, with a goal of limiting the increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

The Paris Agreement has been legally binding since November 4, 2016, when it entered into force. This means that all parties to the agreement are legally obligated to implement its provisions and meet their commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The legal status of the Paris Agreement is based on international law and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The UNFCCC is a treaty that was adopted in 1992 and ratified by 197 countries, including the United States.

Under the UNFCCC, countries are required to report on their national greenhouse gas emissions and take actions to mitigate climate change. The Paris Agreement builds on the UNFCCC by setting more specific targets for emissions reductions and providing a framework for countries to work together to achieve those targets.

The Paris Agreement also includes a process for tracking progress and increasing ambition over time. Each country is required to submit a new emissions target every five years, with a view to progressively increasing the level of ambition.

The legal status of the Paris Agreement has been the subject of some controversy, particularly in the United States. In 2017, President Trump announced that the United States would withdraw from the agreement, arguing that it was unfair to American workers and businesses.

However, the withdrawal process is governed by the terms of the agreement, which require a three-year waiting period before a party can formally withdraw. As a result, the United States remained a party to the agreement until November 4, 2020, when its withdrawal took effect.

Despite the withdrawal of the United States, the Paris Agreement remains a key international framework for addressing climate change. Countries around the world continue to work together to implement its provisions and meet their commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

In conclusion, the Paris Agreement is a legally binding international treaty that sets specific targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and provides a framework for countries to work together to achieve those targets. Its legal status is based on international law and the UNFCCC, and it remains a critical tool for addressing the urgent challenge of climate change.