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Where Does the World Stand Before COP15?

Published 03rd December 2009 - 3 comments - 1454 views -

A couple of days before the opening of the Copenhagen summit, citizens of the planet yearn for a legally binding agreement and leaders of the world have already thrown the dices by putting numbers on the table. Courageous spoken commitments have been proposed from both developed and developing nations and everywhere we turn, chances are we hear someone talking about reducing CO2 emissions. Where does the planet stand so far?

Developed countries:

- USA:
The second world polluter, the United States proposed a 17% drop in their greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 and 42 percent by 2030, with year 2005 as reference year (or a 4 percent reduction by 2020 and 33 percent by 2030, with 1990 as year of reference).

- EU:
In December 2008, European Union unilaterally committed to reduce emissions by 20 % by 2020 compared to 1990 levels. There's been a further announcement that the CO2 cuts could even reach 30% in the case of an ambitious international agreement.

- Japan:
Japan has proposed to reduce its emissions with 25% by 2020 compared with 1990 levels, that is if all major countries sign a very ambitious agreement.

- Russia:
Moscow has not made any formal commitments. But, according to the European Commission, Russia would be prepared to engage in a reduction from 20 to 25% by 2020 compared to 1990.

- Canada:
Ottawa comes with 20% reduction in emissions of greenhouse gases by 2020 compared to 2006 levels. This is a decline of 3% compared to 1990 levels. The Canadian Parliament has ,however, just passed a motion that compels the government to commit more (a 25% decrease compared to 1990 levels).

- Australia:
Once again, the Australian Parliament rejected a text from the Government that proposed an emission cut between 5 and 25 % by 2020 in relation to 2000 levels.

- New Zealand:
A reduction from 10 to 20 % by 2020 compared to 1990.

Developing countries:

- China:
First polluter of the planet, China committed to reduce their greenhouse gases with 40-45 % by 2020 compared to 2005 levels.

- India:
India says that steps towards significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions have been made and states that a "number" can be quantified, but none has been announced yet.

- Brazil:
Brazilian government will take "voluntary commitment" to reduce emissions by 36 to 39 % compared to the forecast for 2020, with a special focus to fight deforestation of the Amazon forest, the largest tropical forest in world.

- Indonesia:
According to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, a national program could allow CO2 cuts with 26 % by 2020, compared with "business as usual". Indonesia also focuses on fighting against deforestation.

- South Korea:
Seoul pledged to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases with 4 % by 2020, compared to their level in 2005; this represents a downward trend with 30 percent of polluting emissions, according to their forecast growth.

- Mexico:
With appropriate technology and financing, Mexico proposes a reduction of emissions with 50 % by 2050.

Everything goes in the COP15 hat. We'll see what will come out.

Category: UN Climate Change Conference 2009, | Tags: cop15, copenhagen, copenhagen, copenhagen,



Comments

Adela on 03rd December 2009:

Update:
India unveils target to slow carbon emissions.

Ramesh told Parliament the country plans to reduce by 20 percent to 25 percent the ratio of pollution to production compared with 2005 levels. The announcement comes just days before world leaders are set gather in Denmark to discuss a new climate pact.

Aija Vanaga on 05th December 2009:

As more I read about countries claiming CO2 reduction as more I get curious - how?

Adela on 06th December 2009:

Less deforestation, more planting = more trees = less co2

Hybrid/electric cars = less use of gasoline (oil) = less co2 emissions

Walking / riding a bike instead of driving = less co2 emissions.

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