NEED FOR PATHWAY, NOT JUST PLEDGES

Countries that make commitments to address climate change must take concrete actions

IN 1985, a year spent at Cornell University under the Hubert Humphrey fellowship proved a big help in my career development. Under the fellowship, mid-career professionals from 78 countries around the world attended several universities in the United States.

It was an opportunity to network with not only fellows from the other countries, but also American academics. We also came to appreciate the power of international collaboration. At that time, the issue of climate change was still new. But, discussions about deteriorations in the environment were already commonplace.

That one-year stay in the US left a deep impression in me about the strong commitment the US had on the environment. So, when the US abruptly withdrew from the Paris Agreement in 2016, it took many by surprise.

Not everyone is convinced about climate change, despite all the evidence. It may not be such a big issue if only the common man has doubts. But, a world leader calling climate change a hoax is a different matter altogether, especially when the leader is the head of a powerful economy like the US.

This was what happened in the last four years. It was a relief to the world climate community when Joe Biden announced on his first day in office that the US is rejoining the 2015 Paris Agreement. Since then, there have been many positive developments on emission pledges not only by nations but also by big multinationals.

One court decision which sent a strong message to the world came from a hearing in the Netherlands. A court in the Hague ordered Royal Dutch Shell to cut its global carbon emissions by 45 per cent by the end of 2030 compared with 2019 levels, in a landmark case brought by Friends of the Earth and over 17,000 co-plaintiffs.

Many saw the judgment as an unprecedented ruling that will have wide implications for the energy industry. Many agree the historic ruling will influence other oil giants to revisit their carbon emission planning. The US rejoining the climate club is timely.

The mood would certainly change for the better in the coming November climate meeting in Glasgow, Scotland. President Biden wasted no time in showing that the US means business when 40 global leaders were invited to participate in a virtual climate summit convened by the White House.

Coinciding with Earth Day, the summit was part of a push by the US to step up its commitment to address the climate crisis. It was also an effort to show that the president is eager to lead on an international stage after the prior administration dropped out of the Paris Agreement.

Biden announced a new target for the US to cut emission by 50 to 52 per cent from 2005 levels by 2030, nearly doubling the cuts laid out in 2015. Other leaders also announced plans to make deeper emission cuts. Canada wants to cut emissions by 40 to 45 per cent by 2030, up from 30 per cent by the same year.

The United Kingdom announced a new 78 per cent cut by 2035 compared with 1990 levels. Japan announced a new goal of reducing by 46 per cent of 2013 levels by 2030, a change from a previous goal of 26 per cent of 2013 levels by 2030. The European Union reached a new agreement to cut carbon emission by at least 55 per cent below 1990 levels by 2030.

The EU also wants to become the first “climate-neutral” continent, a goal which it aims to reach by 2050. Chinese President Xi Jinping confirmed his nation’s commitment to peak carbon emissions by 2030, as well as carbon neutrality by 2060.

Taken together, all these pledges could go a significant way towards preventing global temperature rise. However, the pathway has yet to be laid out in most cases.

It’s likely every country will need to significantly cut the amount of fossil fuel used in their power and transportation sectors, as well as take steps to conserve key carbon sinks.

Yet many of those pledging emissions cuts are still heavily involved in the production of fossil fuels, including China, Canada, and the US. Notwithstanding, the US renewed commitment is welcome.