Global Initiatives We Should Know About!
The Paris accords (The Paris Agreement, often referred to as the Paris Accords or the Paris Climate Accords, is an international treaty on climate change, adopted in 2015. It covers climate change mitigation, adaptation, and finance.) were a step in the positive direction to tackle the environmental issues plaguing countries around the world. But what is often penned down on paper might not translate to active initiatives. The economic slowdown brought about by the pandemic did temporarily reduce greenhouse emissions and if projections are to be believed it might be a 6% decrease but it is not the solution. Countries gradually recovering from the pandemic will commence industrial activity with full force. The Paris Agreement, adopted in 2015, aims to strengthen the global response to the threat of climate change by keeping a global temperature rise this century well below 2 degrees Celsius akin to pre-industrial levels. But according to predictions and the current level of industrial activity, we are well behind our goal and to attain it some drastic changes need to be adopted. Here are some countries who have committed themselves to the cause of securing our futures:
Morocco: Morocco and The Gambia are the only two countries that have committed to the goal of reducing their CO2 emissions to a level consistent with limiting warming to 1.5 degrees C. The National Energy Strategy aims to phase its electricity production to 52% by 2030. The largest solar farm in the world that will have the capacity to power two cities the size of Marrakesh is also being constructed here.
The Gambia: The Gambia is the other country with a 1.5 degrees C emissions reduction strategy. Similar to Morocco, Gambia is focusing on renewable resources to fulfil 1/5th of its electricity requirements. It aims to do so by constructing the largest photovoltaic plants in West Africa. The country has also planned to restore 10,000 hectares of its flora and fauna and has shifted to efficient agricultural methods to reduce the strain on natural resources.
India: India has emerged as a global leader in renewable energy, and in fact, it is investing more in them than it is in fossil fuels. India aims to generate 40% of power through renewables by 2030.
Costa Rica: Costa Rica aimed to make its electricity production 100% renewable by 2021 and currently 98% of its electricity is generated from renewable sources, primarily hydropower. Through concessions and incentives, the country aims to shift its public transportation vehicles to electric automobiles and busses. Additionally, in February 2019 Costa Rica extended a moratorium on oil extraction and exploitation from 2021 until the end of 2050.
European Union: The EU was a comparatively early adopter of climate targets. According to the Paris Agreements, it seeks to reduce its emissions by 40% by 2030. It seeks to convert 32% of its electricity production to renewable alternatives by 2030. To achieve that figure across the EU, different countries within the bloc have adopted different national targets: For example, for Malta, the goal is 10 per cent renewables, while for Sweden it is 49 per cent.
Among the many issues plaguing humanity the environmental crisis truly threatens the lives of all, and more so for the disadvantaged and marginalised communities. Sustainable development should not be a mere idea but an enforceable standard that all countries must adhere to. Many countries are taking pre-emptive actions to reduce global temperatures while many others only seek to add to the issue. The solution to the environmental crisis lies only in cooperation between nations across the world.
Sources & References
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/climate-change-report-card-co2-emissions
https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/climate-change/
https://www.npr.org/2011/12/07/143302823/what-countries-are-doing-to-tackle-climate-change