The Paris Climate Agreement of 2015 is a landmark agreement signed by 195 countries to combat climate change by limiting global warming to below 2 degrees Celsius. One of the key elements of the agreement is the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) that each signatory country submits.
The NDCs are essentially each country`s plan for reducing its greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to the impacts of climate change. These contributions are reviewed and updated every five years, with the aim of increasing their level of ambition over time.
So, what are some of the NDCs submitted by countries to the Paris Climate Agreement? Here`s a roundup of some of the notable ones:
– The United States: The US submitted an NDC aimed at reducing its economy-wide emissions by 26-28% below 2005 levels by 2025. This includes measures such as the Clean Power Plan, which aims to regulate emissions from power plants, and efforts to increase the use of renewable energy sources.
– China: As the world`s largest emitter of greenhouse gases, China`s NDC is closely watched. The country committed to peak its carbon dioxide emissions by 2030, and to increase the share of non-fossil fuels in its primary energy mix to around 20% by the same year.
– European Union: The EU`s NDC is a collective one, with each member state submitting its own contribution. As a whole, the EU aims to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by at least 40% below 1990 levels by 2030. This includes efforts to increase the use of renewable energy and improve energy efficiency.
– India: Another major emitter, India`s NDC includes a goal to reduce its emissions intensity (the amount of emissions per unit of GDP) by 33-35% below 2005 levels by 2030. The country also aims to increase the share of non-fossil fuels in its energy mix to 40% by the same year.
– Brazil: The NDC submitted by Brazil includes a commitment to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 37% below 2005 levels by 2025. This includes measures such as reducing deforestation in the Amazon rainforest and expanding the use of renewable energy.
While the Paris Climate Agreement and the NDCs are not legally binding, they represent a significant global effort to tackle climate change. It remains to be seen how successful each country will be in meeting its commitments, but it is clear that action is needed on a global scale to address this urgent issue.