Article 6 of the Paris Agreement is a crucial component that establishes the framework for international cooperation in achieving the agreement's climate change goals. It was adopted in December 2015 under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and aims to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, while pursuing efforts to limit the increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

Article 6 provides mechanisms for countries to work together in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to climate change impacts. It does so through three primary mechanisms:

Cooperative approaches (Article 6.2):

Article 6.2 allows countries to voluntarily engage in cooperative approaches that involve the use of internationally transferred mitigation outcomes (ITMOs) for achieving their nationally determined contributions (NDCs). ITMOs are emission reductions or removals generated in one country and transferred to another to help the receiving country meet its NDC. This mechanism aims to facilitate higher ambition, promote sustainable development, and ensure environmental integrity and transparency.

The Sustainable Development Mechanism (Article 6.4):

Article 6.4 establishes a centralized mechanism, called the Sustainable Development Mechanism (SDM), to support the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to sustainable development. The SDM is designed to build upon the experience of the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) under the Kyoto Protocol. Countries can generate emission reduction credits through SDM projects and use them to offset their own emissions or trade them with other countries. The mechanism also aims to ensure the overall reduction in global emissions and promote sustainable development, while avoiding double counting of emission reductions.

Non-market approaches (Article 6.8):

Article 6.8 focuses on non-market approaches that support countries in achieving their NDCs, including adaptation, capacity building, technology development and transfer, and finance. This mechanism encourages countries to work together through integrated, holistic, and balanced approaches that enhance mitigation and adaptation efforts while promoting sustainable development and environmental integrity.

The detailed rules and guidelines for implementing Article 6 were still under negotiation in the years following the adoption of the Paris Agreement. The rulebook was expected to address key issues such as how to avoid double counting of emission reductions, ensure transparency, and promote environmental integrity. As my knowledge cutoff is in September 2021, I am unable to provide information on the final outcomes of these negotiations.

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