As the world grapples with the existential crisis of climate change, the progress made towards a binding climate treaty has been a subject of intense debate. With the clock ticking and the deadline for meeting the 1.5°C target fast approaching, it’s hard not to wonder: are we making enough progress to avert the most catastrophic effects of climate change?
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The answer lies in the labyrinth of international negotiations, where diplomats and heads of state engage in high-stakes talks, trying to find common ground among 196 countries. The Paris Agreement, signed in 2015, marked a historic turning point in climate diplomacy. For the first time, almost every country in the world committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and limiting global warming to “well below 2°C” and pursuing efforts to limit it to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
However, six years on, the progress has been patchy. The Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) submitted by countries under the Paris Agreement are not sufficient to meet the 1.5°C goal. In fact, according to the United Nations, current NDCs would lead to a 3°C increase in global temperatures, which would have devastating consequences, including more frequent and intense natural disasters, droughts, and sea-level rise.
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So, what’s holding us back? One major obstacle is the lack of ambition among some countries. Many have failed to submit updated NDCs, while others have set targets that are not aligned with the 1.5°C goal. The US, for instance, has withdrawn from the Paris Agreement, while China, the world’s largest emitter, has not submitted an updated NDC.
Another challenge is the mismatch between national climate policies and the global ambition required to address the climate crisis. In many countries, climate policies are not aligned with the Paris Agreement, and the lack of enabling frameworks and institutions hinders the implementation of climate action.
Despite these challenges, there are reasons to be optimistic. The European Union, for example, has been a leader in climate action, committing to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030. China, while not submitting an updated NDC, has made significant strides in renewable energy, with solar and wind power capacity increasing rapidly.
Moreover, civil society, businesses, and the scientific community are putting pressure on governments to step up their climate action. The momentum around climate action is building, with increasing awareness and activism among young people, workers, and communities vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
As the climate crisis deepens, the need for a robust and effective climate treaty has never been more pressing. The next crucial step is the 2023 UN Climate Conference in Egypt, where countries will aim to finalize the rules of the Paris Agreement and submit new NDCs.
The clock is ticking, but there’s still time to get our climate act together. Governments, civil society, and the business community must work together to boost ambition, align national policies with the Paris Agreement, and develop the enabling frameworks and institutions required to implement climate action.
Ultimately, the success of the climate treaty will depend on our collective will to act. We must recognize the urgency of the climate crisis and the need for collective action. It’s time to put aside petty squabbles and work together to create a more sustainable and equitable future for all. The question remains: can we finally get our climate act together?
