In the simplest
of terms the solution to
climate change is energy
policy. Unless the right
energy choices are in places the harmful impacts of
climate change will be
irreversible
Crafting a universal climate pact
According to an agency report carried in The Independent negotiators from 195 nations tasked with crafting a universal climate pact are driven by fears tugging in opposite directions, which may result in a hollow deal.
As we know in Paris, this December, the governments of 196 countries will meet to try to forge a new global agreement on climate change, with all countries taking on targets on their future emissions. For developed countries, this will mean absolute cuts; for developing nations, curbs on their future carbon output. These commitments would kick in from 2020, when current commitments will run out. If indeed a hollow deal results it could have severe impacts on countries, like Bangladesh, who are particularly vulnerable to climate change.
The proposal to translate the widely-accepted long-term goal on climate, of holding the world to no more than two degree Celsius of warming above pre-industrial levels, in line with scientific advice, into a firm goal on global greenhouse gas emissions is unlikely to be accepted by many countries. That would imply setting a global carbon budget of how much the world could emit in future, which would then have to be carved up among all countries. While such an idea appears logical and attractive to many scientists and civil society groups, among the governments of many leading countries it is anathema, as it implies much stronger limits on emissions than any that have yet been agreed.
Countries that delay submitting carbon-cutting pledges to the United Nations this year may put the success of global climate talks at risk. Switzerland is the only one of 196 countries participating to submit its pledge until now.
Global leaders must set meaningful reduction targets at these UN talks. We also believe that its equally important that world governments commit to adaptation for the poorest people. A failure to progress in these areas will endanger the lives of millions of poor people across the world.
It is the developed countries which are mostly to blame for the adverse effects of climate change. Bangladesh and other developing nations are demanding reliable flows of aid from the heavily industrialised countries, and damage payments for the losses they are likely to suffer in the years ahead. In the simplest of terms the solution to climate change is energy policy. Unless the right energy choices are in places the harmful impacts of climate change will be irreversible.
