185 countries pledge to cut greenhouse emissions

LE BOURGET: Some 185 countries submitted pledges to reduce greenhouse gas emissions ahead of UN climate talks which aimed to close with an historic climate deal.

They account for the vast majority of the world population and are responsible for roughly 95% of emissions driving dangerous levels of climate change.

The voluntary pledges — dubbed Intended Nationally Determined Contributions or INDCs — will help cap global warming at two degrees Celsius over pre-Industrial Revolution levels, the UN-endorsed goal. They begin in 2020, with a few running to 2025 and the rest to the end of the decade.

But they are inadequate to meet the 2C target, and place the world on track for warming closer to 3C, several analyses conclude.

Among the top 10 emitters, here’s who has promised what.

CHINA envisages a peak in emissions “by about” 2030, and reducing carbon intensity (CO2 emitted per unit of gross domestic product) by 60-65% by 2030 compared with 2005 levels. The world’s most populous nation will boost the share of non-fossil fuel in primary energy consumption from 11.2% in 2014 to 20%, and boost the volume of CO2-absorbing forest by about 4.5 billion cubic metres.

UNITED STATES has pledged a 26% to 28% reduction in emissions from 2005 levels by 2025. Power plants are to cut carbon dioxide pollution by 32% from 2005 levels by 2030.

EUROPEAN UNION The 28-member bloc intends to cut emissions by at least 40% by 2030 over 1990 levels, and has set 27% targets for renewable energy supply and efficiency gains.

INDIA plans to reduce carbon intensity by 35% by 2030 from 2005 levels, and to generate 40% of its electricity from renewable sources by the same date.

RUSSIA has proposed cutting emissions by 25% to 30% by 2030 from 1990 levels, conditional on the pledges of other “major emitters”.

JAPAN has pledged a 26% reduction in emissions from 2013 levels by 2030, with nuclear energy — offline since the 2011 Fukushima disaster — providing 20% to 22% of electricity by then. Renewable electricity production, including hydro power, would be expanded to a 22% to 24% share, from 11% in 2014.

BRAZIL will cut emissions 37% by 2025 from 2005, and 43% by 2030.

IRAN has made an unconditional pledge to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions in 2030 by 4%. Tehran said it would reduce emissions another 8% if it receives financial and technology support, and if what it describes as “unjust sanctions” were lifted.

INDONESIA envisages a 29% cut in emissions by 2030 compared with what the level would have been without any action. With financial and other help, this could be raised to 41%.

CANADA will seek to cut emissions by 30% from 2005 levels by 2030.