5 key points in Paris Agreement on climate change

After lengthyovernightnegotiations and two weeks of touch-and-godiscussions, delegates at the UN climate talks in Paris have adopted a climate-change pact.

The final text of theParis Agreement considered to betheworld's first universalclimate agreementis31pages long. While theplenary session agreeduponthe finaldraft Saturday afternoon,it now must be ratified.

• Read the agreement
• 'Ambitious and balanced' climate change pact announced in Paris

Herearefive of the agreement'skey points.

1. Limit temperature rise 'well below'2C

The agreement includes a commitment tokeepthe rise in global temperatures"well below" 2C compared to pre-industrial times, while strivingto limit them even more, to 1.5 degrees.

Canadianofficials agreed to this lower amount earlierthis week, sayingthey wouldsupporta long-term goaloflimiting rising average temperatures to within 1.5 C of pre-industrial levels.

Scientists consider 2C the threshold tolimitpotentially catastrophic climate change.

2. First universal climate agreement

It's the world's firstcomprehensive climateagreement,withall countries expected to pitchin.

Under the previous emissions treaty, the 1997 Kyoto Protocol, developing countries were not mandated to reduce their emissions. Canada signed on to Kyoto, but later backed out in 2011.

French Foreign Minister LaurentFabiuspresented the agreement'sfinal draft on Saturday, noting that it is legally binding.

3. Helping poorer nations

The deal also calls ondeveloped nations to give $100 billion annually to developing countries by 2020. This would help these poorer countries combatclimate change and fostergreener economies.

The agreementpromotes universal access to sustainable energy in developing countries, particularly inAfrica. It says this can be accomplished throughgreater use of renewable energy.

In his appearance at the summit last week,Prime Minister JustinTrudeaucommitted tohelping poorer nations copewith global warming.

In November,the Canadian government promised to spend $2.65 billion over five years to help developing countries reduce their emissions and adapt to climate change.

4. Publishing greenhouse gas reduction targets

Countries will betasked with preparing, maintaining and publishing their own greenhouse gas reduction targets.The agreement says these targets should be greaterthan thecurrent ones and"reflect [the] highest possible ambition."

These targets will bereviewedand revisedevery five yearsstartingin 2023.

The agreement also says that each country shouldstriveto drive down their carbon output "as soon as possible."

5. Carbon neutral by 2050?

The deal sets the goal ofa carbon-neutral world sometime after 2050 butbefore 2100.

This means a commitment to limiting the amountof greenhouse gases emitted by human activity to the levels that trees, soil and oceans can absorb naturally.

Scientists believethe world will have to stop emitting greenhouse gases altogether in the next half-century in order to achieve this goal.