The UN deadline for updated carbon reduction targets has passed, with only 10 nations complying, including key polluters like China and India failing to submit their pledges. Major geopolitical shifts have obstructed international climate cooperation, as highlighted by experts. France struggles to meet its emissions targets, and the EU forecasts falling short of its climate goals. The global fight against climate change remains challenging as countries prepare for a revised deadline.
As the UN-imposed deadline for updating carbon reduction targets elapsed on February 10, most nations, including significant emitters like China, India, and the European Union, did not present their revised pledges. This scenario underscores the persistent challenges in achieving international collaboration on climate change, as only 10 out of nearly 200 countries met the submission deadline according to UN data.
Ebony Holland from the International Institute for Environment and Development stated, “It is clear there are some broad geopolitical shifts underway that are proving to be a challenge when it comes to international cooperation, especially on big issues like climate change.” Under the 2015 Paris Agreement, nations were expected to propose advanced climate goals for 2035; however, most G20 countries failed to honor this expectation.
Among the few who submitted were the United States, the United Kingdom, and Brazil. However, the U.S. commitment remains largely symbolic, especially in the wake of President Donald Trump’s withdrawal from the Paris Agreement. Holland remarked, “The U.S. retreat from Cop21 was clearly a setback,” indicating a broader uncertainty concerning international climate commitments.
France, despite its central role in European climate policy, is struggling to translate its ambitions into tangible outcomes. The government announced a target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030 relative to 1990 levels, yet had only achieved a 25% reduction by 2023. Recent claims of a six percent emission drop were met with skepticism from environmental groups who attributed the decline to temporary factors.
On a broader scale, the European Union’s progress toward its climate goals has been mixed, achieving a 37% emission reduction from 1990 levels by 2023. Nevertheless, the European Commission warns that current policies will only lead to a 51% reduction by 2030, falling short of the legally binding 55% target due to challenges in sectors like agriculture.
The recent failures to meet climate targets raise serious questions about the capability of nations to fulfill their commitments under the Paris Agreement. UN climate chief Simon Stiell described the latest climate pledges as “the most important policy documents of this century.” Given the slow responses from major economies, the global effort against climate change seems increasingly daunting.
Looking ahead to a revised deadline in September, there is cautious optimism that the missed submissions could still inspire ambitious policy advancements. The European Commission has indicated that the EU aims to submit its targets “well ahead” of the upcoming COP30 summit in Brazil. Additionally, there is anticipation regarding China’s forthcoming climate plan, as it is the world’s largest polluter and a substantial investor in renewable energy.
In conclusion, the failure of most nations, especially major emitters, to meet the UN deadline for updated climate targets highlights significant challenges in global cooperation on climate change. The mixed progress from countries like France and the EU further illustrates the obstacles faced in achieving established goals. As nations prepare for a September deadline, there remains a cautious hope for improvements in climate policy commitments.
Original Source: www.rfi.fr
