The Paris Agreement is a landmark global accord, signed by almost all countries in the world at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in 2015. It aims to limit the rise in global temperatures to well below 2 degrees Celsius, and ideally to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, to prevent catastrophic climate change.

So, what did countries agree to under the Paris Agreement? Here are the key points:

1. Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs): Each country is required to submit an NDC, outlining their plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. These NDCs are not legally binding, but they are important commitments that show how each country intends to contribute to the global effort to combat climate change.

2. Long-term goals: The Paris Agreement sets out a long-term goal of reaching net zero emissions by the second half of this century. This means that all greenhouse gas emissions would need to be offset by removing an equivalent amount of carbon from the atmosphere.

3. Transparency and accountability: The agreement requires countries to regularly report on their emissions and progress towards their NDCs. This transparency and accountability is essential to ensuring that countries are meeting their commitments.

4. Finance: Developed countries are expected to provide financial support to developing countries to assist with their efforts to reduce emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change. The Paris Agreement established the Green Climate Fund to help mobilize these funds.

5. Technology transfer: The agreement calls for increased cooperation on technology transfer to help developing countries transition to low-carbon economies.

6. Adaptation: The Paris Agreement recognizes the need for countries to adapt to the impacts of climate change that are already happening. It calls for increased support for adaptation measures, particularly in vulnerable developing countries.

In summary, the Paris Agreement sets out a comprehensive framework for global cooperation on climate change. It emphasizes the importance of transparency, accountability, and collective action to limit global temperature rise and achieve net zero emissions by the second half of this century. While the commitments made under the agreement are not legally binding, they represent an important step towards a more sustainable future.