Climate Corner: World’s Biggest Emitters Pledge Carbon Cuts

Reprinted from the Audubon Advisory

In the last few weeks, many of the world’s largest economies and biggest greenhouse gas emitters have pledged substantial cuts to their emissions. Chinarecently pledged to cap its greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, launch a national cap-and-trade system, and invest $3.1 billion to help developing countries fight climate change and adapt to its effects. Brazil announced it will reduce its carbon emissions by 37 percent from 2005 levels by the year 2025, and the country aims for a 43 percent reduction by 2030. Last week, India pledged to cut its emissions by 33 to 35 percent from 2005 levels and source 40 percent of its energy from non-fossil fuels by 2030.

In all, more than 130 nations have submitted greenhouse gas reduction plans in advance of the upcoming COP21 climate conference in Paris. The pledges represent important progress in the right direction, although many environmental groups and analysts stress that more action will be needed to curb the impacts of climate change.