As I stood on the beach, watching the sun set over the receding tide, I couldn’t help but think of Maria, a small business owner in the Maldives. Her family had run a seaside restaurant for generations, but the rising sea levels were threatening to wash away their livelihood. The 2018 IPCC report had warned that the Maldives was one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change, and Maria knew she wasn’t alone. Her story is a microcosm of the global struggle against climate change.
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In recent years, the world has witnessed unprecedented climate-related disasters: from Category 5 hurricanes like Hurricane Maria to devastating wildfires like those in Australia. These events have galvanized international efforts to address the crisis. One key aspect of these efforts is the progress made in climate agreements.
The Paris Agreement, signed in 2015, set a global goal to limit warming to well below 2°C (3.6°F) and pursue efforts to limit it to 1.5°C (2.7°F) above pre-industrial levels. The agreement also established a framework for countries to submit their own Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) outlining their plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
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Since then, countries have been working to enhance their NDCs, increase climate finance, and promote climate resilience. However, the pace of progress remains slow. According to the Climate Action Tracker, a non-profit organization that monitors countries’ climate commitments, only a handful of countries have submitted stronger NDCs, while many others have not updated their targets at all.
Despite these challenges, there are reasons to be hopeful. In 2020, the European Union, the United Kingdom, and Norway submitted new NDCs that align with the 1.5°C target. Costa Rica, a leader in renewable energy, has made significant strides in reducing its carbon footprint. These examples demonstrate that it’s possible for countries to take bold action in the face of climate change.
Another area of progress is climate finance. The Green Climate Fund, established in 2010, has disbursed over $4 billion to support climate projects in developing countries. The fund has also helped mobilize private sector investment, with many companies committing to climate action.
As the world looks to the future, the climate agreement progress is a foundation on which to build. The 2020s will be crucial in determining whether we can meet the Paris Agreement’s goals. The next few years will see a series of critical climate conferences, including the UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow in 2021. These events will bring together world leaders, civil society, and the private sector to discuss progress, share best practices, and agree on new commitments.
For Maria in the Maldives and millions like her, the progress made so far is a ray of hope. It’s a reminder that, even in the face of overwhelming challenges, collective action can make a difference. As the world continues to grapple with climate change, it’s essential to track progress, learn from successes and setbacks, and remain committed to the goal of a safer, more sustainable future for all.
