According to the Associated Press, a draft agreement between governments around the world calls on countries to reduce their dependence on coal while working to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
On Wednesday, when world leaders gathered in Glasgow, Scotland, the preliminary agreement was released United Nations Climate conference to discuss climate change and draft a global action plan for this phenomenon.
The Paris Agreement passed in 2015 witnessed the commitment of governments around the world to keep global warming “far below” the 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit that has risen since the industrial era. According to the Associated Press, the preferred but more difficult goal is to limit the temperature rise to 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit.
Coal is the largest single source of man-made greenhouse gas emissions, making it a key target of the emission reduction plan. Although more sustainable and environmentally friendly energy sources such as wind and solar energy are becoming more and more popular, the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas is still the most important energy source in the world.
Countries must drastically reduce their dependence on these energy sources in order to effectively deal with climate change. According to the Associated Press, the draft agreement does call for speeding up the “phasing out of coal and fossil fuel subsidies,” but it did not give a timetable for countries to do so.
For more reports from the Associated Press, please see below.
Charlie Riddle/Associated Press Photo
China and the United States, the two largest carbon polluters in the world, pledged to strengthen cooperation on climate action in a joint statement issued at the United Nations climate talks in Glasgow on Wednesday.
In a separate press conference, China’s climate envoy Xie Zhenhua and his American counterparts John KerrySaid that the two countries will work together to accelerate the reduction of emissions required to achieve the 2015 Paris climate change agreement temperature targets.
Kerry said: “The point is that we think the steps we are taking can answer people’s questions about the speed of China’s progress and help China and us accelerate our efforts.”
Both sides recognize that there is a gap between global emission reduction efforts and the Paris Agreement goals, Xie said.
He said: “Therefore, we will work together to strengthen climate action and cooperation in accordance with our respective national conditions.”
The early version of the final document also expressed “warnings and concerns” about the degree to which the planet has warmed, and urged countries to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by about half by 2030. So far, the combined commitments of governments have not achieved this often stated goal.
Some countries, especially island nations whose survival is threatened by climate change, warn that the draft has not done enough to require action to limit global temperature rise—or to help poorer countries to adapt to climate change and pay the price of losses. Not enough to get from it.
Antigua and Barbuda’s ambassador to the United Nations, Aubrey Webson, said in a statement: “‘Urge,”appeal,”encourage,’ and’invite’ are not the decisive language needed at this moment.”
With the climate summit running out of time, a clear message must be sent, he added: “For our children and the most vulnerable communities, we have heard your voice, and we are taking this matter seriously.”
Jennifer Morgan, director of Greenpeace International, a long-time observer of climate negotiations, said that the draft call for the phasing out of coal and fossil fuel subsidies will be the first in the UN climate agreement, but the lack of a timetable will limit the effectiveness of the commitment.
“This is not a plan to solve the climate emergency. It will not give the children on the street the confidence they need,” Morgan said.
Frans Timmermans, head of EU climate affairs, is more optimistic about the negotiations.
“We are ready and willing to ensure that we achieve the highest level of ambition so that we can quickly take global action,” he said.
The draft may change, but a comprehensive agreement has not yet been reached on the three main goals set by the United Nations for the negotiations: rich countries provide 100 billion U.S. dollars in climate assistance to poor countries every year to ensure that the money is used to adapt to deteriorating global warming. And the commitment to reduce global carbon emissions by 2030.
The draft “regrettably” acknowledges that rich countries have failed to deliver on climate finance pledges. Currently, they provide about 80 billion U.S. dollars a year, and poorer countries that need financial help in developing green energy systems and adapting to the most severe climate change think this is not enough.
Papua New Guinea’s Environment Minister Velamoli said that in view of the lack of financial assistance, Papua New Guinea may “reconsider” efforts to cut logging, coal mining and even participate in UN negotiations.
The draft stated that the world should strive to achieve “net zero (emissions)” around the middle of this century. This goal was supported by the leaders of the G20 at a summit on the eve of the Glasgow talks. This means that countries are required to emit greenhouse gases into the atmosphere in order to absorb them again through natural or artificial means.
The document emphasized the challenges in achieving these goals, and “expressed shock and concern that human activities have caused global warming of approximately 1.1 degrees Celsius (2 degrees Fahrenheit) so far, and that the impact has been felt in every region.”
Separate draft proposals were also issued on other issues under debate in the talks, including international carbon market rules and the frequency with which countries must report on their efforts.
The draft calls on countries that do not meet the national target of the 1.5 or 2 degree limit to re-enact more stringent targets next year. According to the way the language is interpreted, this clause can be applied to most countries.
“This is a crucial language,” said David Voskow, director of the International Climate Initiative of the World Resources Institute. “Countries should indeed do something within that time frame to make adjustments.”
In order to approve of a major issue in poorer countries, the draft vaguely “urges” developed countries to compensate developing countries for “losses and damages,” a phrase that some rich countries don’t like. But there is no specific financial commitment.
British Alok Sharma, who presided over the negotiations, admitted that “major issues are still unresolved.”
“My very big request of all of you is to be armed with compromised currency,” he told the negotiator. “The consensus we reached in Glasgow will set the future for our children and grandchildren, and I know we don’t want to let them down.”
Alastair Grant/Associated Press Photo
