Brilliant news to begin the day of President Biden’s Leaders Summit on Climate – the US commits to more than halving its 2005 baseline emissions level by 2030.
The new target is a welcome confirmation of the new Administration’s recommitment to the Paris Agreement, to making policy guided by science, and to plotting interim targets on a credible pathway to net zero by 2050 or sooner.
The fact the US is in a position to pursue a halving of emissions by 2030 is testament to the hard work and commitment of US governors, mayors, CEOs, investors and civil society to keep alive the flame of climate ambition during the difficult past four years.
The Biden-Harris Administration has today sent the strongest possible signal from the world’s second-biggest emitter that the Race to Zero is truly on, and that those not yet in the Race will be left behind.
As one example, the vision to rapidly and fully decarbonize the country’s electricity grid within 15 years brings with it the exciting promise of new jobs, updated infrastructure and innovative new industries that can help the US compete on the world stage.
We look forward to further ambitious commitments at the Summit later today and in the weeks to come, from both national governments and the companies, investors, cities, states and regions that make up the “real economy” across the world, to whom we say “come join our #Race to Zero”.
The more we delay action, burn fossil fuels and destroy nature, the more brutal climate change will become, according to the latest IPCC scientific report on mitigating climate.
The MENA region is already the most water-scarce region in the world – and the increasing temperatures are predicted to lead to more persistent and acute drought. Building resilience is key, which is why effective climate action is vital to limit the worst effects of the climate crisis.
The first-ever Middle East and North Africa Climate Week, MENACW 2022, opened today with a strong call to accelerate implementation of the Paris Agreement.
Africa’s experience managing e-waste provides interesting approaches for all countries to consider when building an e-waste management system.
