International Climate Ambition Summit

On December 12, 2020, the Paris Climate Agreement completed its fifth anniversary. Paris Agreement aims to limit the increase in global warming temperatures well below two degrees Celsius, a target the world is yet to achieve. To commemorate the occasion, the United Kingdom had called for a Global Climate Summit. It is also called International Climate Ambition Summit.

The International Climate Action Summit was organised and co-hosted by United Nations, United Kingdom and France, in partnership with Chile and Italy. The summit aimed to highlight the achievements of countries, cities, business towards net zero carbon emission and enhancing the climate finance. The summit is a predecessor to 26th COP scheduled to be held at Glasgow in 2021. The member countries presented a detailed deliberation of NDCs, long term strategies to achieve zero emission and adaption plans and policies.

According to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, US has 25% of all emissions, Europe has 22% of emissions, China has 13% and India has only 3% of the emissions of the world.

International Climate Ambition Summit

The summit featured United Kingdom, India, Canada, Japan, China, South Korea and European Union. Australia, the supporter of fossil fuels has been kept out of the summit. The other notable absences were Brazil, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Poland and Turkey. The United States did not attend the summit as President Trump walked out of the Paris Agreement.

The United Nations Environment Programme recently released the Emissions Gap Report, 2020. The report provided the review of difference between where the Greenhouse gas emissions are predicted to be in 2030 and where they should be to prevent catastrophic climate change events.

Key Findings of Emissions Gap Report

The world will face a temperature increase of three degree Celsius by the end of this century. The COVID-19 crisis has reduced the emission levels. However, it is only for a very short duration of time and is not a permanent solution to the fight against climate change.

The Greenhouse Gas emissions have increased by 1.4% since 2010. However, in 2019, it increased by 2.6% due to increase in forest fires.

Way Forward

The report suggests “Green Pandemic Recovery”. This is to be achieved by increasing net-zero emission commitments. Also, the energy sector should be completely decarbonised. More energy solutions based on renewable energy should be adopted. The coal-based power plants should completely be phased out.

Month: Current Affairs - December, 2020