For the first time in history, every nation on Earth has signed a binding agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, marking a turning point in the fight against climate change.

The Global Emissions Compact, signed at the conclusion of the two-week summit in Geneva, commits signatories to a 60 percent reduction in emissions by 2040, with interim targets every five years.

Key Provisions

The agreement includes a carbon border adjustment mechanism, a $2 trillion climate resilience fund for developing nations, and mandatory annual reporting with independent verification.

Reactions

“This is our generation’s moon landing,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres. “For decades we have talked. Today, we act.”

Some environmental groups have cautiously welcomed the deal while noting that targets remain insufficient to limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

Enforcement

Unlike the Paris Agreement, the new compact includes enforceable penalties for non-compliance, including trade sanctions and exclusion from international financial mechanisms.