GENEVA — After weeks of intense and often fraught negotiations, representatives from nearly 200 countries have signed a landmark agreement aimed at drastically reducing carbon emissions over the next decade. The pact, hailed as a "pivotal moment for humanity," includes binding commitments from the world's largest economies and establishes a multi-billion dollar fund to aid developing nations in transitioning to renewable energy sources.

The agreement sets an ambitious target of limiting global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, a goal that scientists say is critical to avoiding the most catastrophic impacts of climate change. Key provisions include a global phase-out of coal-fired power plants, significant investments in green technology, and stricter regulations on industrial pollution.

While many world leaders and environmental groups have celebrated the accord as a historic achievement, some critics argue that the measures do not go far enough. They point to the lack of immediate enforcement mechanisms and suggest that several key targets are back-loaded, pushing the most difficult actions into the distant future. Nevertheless, the agreement marks the most significant coordinated global effort to address the climate crisis to date.