As of today, 74 countries representing over 55% of global emissions have ratified the Paris Climate Agreement, putting it into effect. The agreement requires signatories to do everything possible to limit global warming to no more than 2°C above pre-industrial levels, with an aspirational target of 1.5°C.
The historic deal required ratification by at least 55 countries representing 55% of global emissions for it to become operational – which it now is!
Sounds like good news, right? Well unfortunately Australia remains one of the largest emitters to delay ratification.
But while Australia lags behind the rest of the world, many other nations are stepping up – here are 10 countries that have been pro-active in the ratification of the landmark climate agreement!
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China
When the world's two biggest carbon emitters ratified the Paris Climate Agreement together, it was kind of a huge deal.
China and the US ratified in a joint statement, collectively totally 38% of global emissions.
China has pledged to cap their total emissions limits by 2030, reducing the carbon intensity of economic output by 60-65%, with 20% non-fossil fuel energy, and forest stock by 4-5 billion cubic metres!
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USA
The United States is the world's second largest producer of GHGs
The country has pledged a reduction of 26-28% on 2005 levels, and aims to reach its targets by placing restrictions on power producers' emissions levels, while offering incentives to renewable energy producers. However, the result of the US election has worried some about the United States' ability to maintain the pledge, as a little known part of the agreement is a four-year wait required to abandon the pledge – exactly the length of a US presidential term! |
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India
The fourth largest emitter of GHGs ratified the Paris Agreement this week, on Mahatma Gandhi's birthday.
The government has pledged to reduce the emissions intensity of their economic output by 33-35% by 2030, on 2005 levels with 40% non-fossil fuel based power, an ambitious pledge in the coming decades where hundreds of millions will access energy for the first time. Additionally, 2.5-3 gigatons of CO2 will be stored through additional forestation by 2030. India has faced several devastating heatwaves in recent years, with a long coastline leaving it exposed to sea-level rise, storms and floods – threats heightened among vulnerable populations. |
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European Union
Ratification this week by the EU, representing around 12% of global emissions, pushed the agreement past the 55% threshold and led to the Paris Agreement coming into effect.
EU negotiators were among leaders in the "high ambition coalition", a pact formed 6 months ahead of the Paris negotiations to spur more ambitious change. The parliament has a formal, binding target of a 40% reduction in emissions by 2030 on 1990 levels. |
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Brazil
Latin America's biggest emitter, Brazil, has been an early and active part of the ratification process.
Brazil intends to reduce its GHG intensity by 37% by 2025 on 2005 levels, with a further attempt to reach a 43% reduction. Significant emissions reductions have already been achieved in the country through reforestation efforts in the Amazon, hydropower and other renewable energies. |
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Canada
Canada has pledged a 30% drop in emissions by 2030 on 2005 level.
Along with ratifying Canada's portion of the agreement, the government has announced a national price on carbon, at C$10 per ton, rising $10 each year until 2022, when it will be reviewed. This is an extension of different carbon pricing programs in four of Canada's most populous provinces. |
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Mexico
Mexico is the 13th largest emitter in the world.
Mexico has pledged a 36% reduction of GHGs by 2030, by increasing their mix of renewable energy and stopping deforestation by 2030. Conditional on some international support, the government has signalled an ambition of making a 40% reduction. |
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United Arab Emirates
The UAE is the first Middle Eastern country to ratify the Paris agreement.
The UAE's pledges involve a 24% mix of non-fossil fuel energy production by 2021, a fast but small contribution for a large oil producer. Efforts to increase renewable energy, water efficiency, sequester carbon, and achieve an economic diversification away from oil will contribute to the country's targets. |
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Morocco
Ahead of the next UN climate change conference in Marrakesh this November, Morocco has ratified the Paris agreement.
With some international assistance, Morocco has pledged to reduce their emissions by 32% by 2030, and to stop any emission growth along with 42% renewable energy by 2020 |
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New Zealand
Even our neighbours across the ditch have ratified the Paris Agreement, pledging a 30% reduction of GHGs by from 2005 levels.
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So what about Australia?
Australia's former Environment Minister signed the agreement in April but it is yet to be approved by Parliament.
"If the pledges are honoured promptly, and then deepened, this could be the turning point in tackling climate change," the Climate Council's Chief Councillor Professor Tim Flannery said.
"Around the world, we have seen leaders act swiftly in acknowledging the huge task ahead of us. Unfortunately, here at home in Australia, we continue to bicker and drag our feet."
Climate Councillor Professor Lesley Hughes, who last week appeared before a Parliament committee considering the Paris agreement, said Australia had so much work to do to reduce its emissions, and no time to lose.
"The severe storms that recently hit South Australia and other states, disrupting electricity supply and flooding our agricultural heartland, illustrates once again that Australia is on the front line of climate change," Professor Hughes said.
"Without drastic and deep emissions reductions we will face even more severe climate impacts, which could cripple the nation's major infrastructure and seriously affect our economy and way of life. Now is the time to get to work."
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