Key Issues and Concerns:
- Inadequate ambition of some countries' climate commitments.
- Developed nations have a strong responsibility to lead in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, but their NDCs must also account for the growth needs of developing countries.
- The need for comprehensive and sectoral energy transition targets in the NDCs of developed countries.
- The importance of phasing out all fossil fuels by mid-century.
Actionable Plans:
- Developed nations should increase their ambition and commit to net-zero emissions or more rapid reductions.
- Countries should submit revised NDCs with strengthened targets, including sectoral energy transition targets.
- A global agreement on the phasing out of all fossil fuels by mid-century should be implemented.
- The development of clean energy and energy efficiency standards should be promoted, especially in priority sectors.
Supporting Ideas:
- Carbon capture and storage technologies can help reduce emissions from industrial sources.
- Renewable energy and advanced nuclear power are crucial for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
- Climate-resilient agriculture and forestry practices can help mitigate the impacts of climate change on ecosystems and biodiversity.
Relevant Research Studies:
- The UNEP Gap Report assesses the current country pledges and finds that the G20 countries must increase their ambition to meet global emission targets.
- The International Energy Agency (IEA) report highlights the role of nuclear power in reducing emissions from the energy sector.
- World Wildlife Fund's analysis shows that adopting renewable energy technologies could reduce global greenhouse gas emissions by up to 72\%.
Promising Solutions:
- Implementing and scaling up clean energy technologies
- Promoting climate-resilient agriculture and forestry practices
- Implementing carbon capture and storage technologies to reduce emissions from industrial sources