International response to climate change has been inadequate

By Dr. Seema Javed

Globally climate legislation has offset only a third of CO2 emissions growth since 1999

At a time when global warming and climate change are a part of our day today existence and no more a  distant reality,  when achieving Paris Agreement targets, is necessary for our very existence, a recent paper published in the “Nature” journal has shown that climate laws in the world are not  very effective. We need more stringent laws to stop global warming.

The study is based on the study of the impact of climate laws on the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) in 133 countries between 1996 and 2016.

The study found that developed countries with stricter climate laws and higher government effectiveness, like European Union achieved two-thirds of the estimated CO2 reduction and close to half of the non-CO2 cuts. These countries, have succeeded in stabilising carbon emissions at 1999 levels.  But globally, in developed and undeveloped and growing countries combined, climate legislation has managed to offset only a third of CO2 emissions growth since 1999.

For example Under the Paris Agreement, India pledged to reduce the emission intensity of its gross domestic product (GHG emissions per unit GDP) by 33-35 per cent over 2005 levels by 2030 and create additional carbon sink of 2.5 -3 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent through additional forest and tree cover. However, India did not bring a legislation to achieve this target.

Even though environmentalists suggested having a law will bring accountability which is lacking in the country. Similar is the case for rest of developing countries like -Brazil, China, Mexico, South Africa, Turkey etc. Even though climate impacts are disproportionately burdening developing countries.

Historically  global warming is the consequence of the stock of greenhouse gas emissions, chiefly CO2, which has accumulated in the Earth’s atmosphere as a result of fossil fuel based industrial activity in the industrialized (Devloped) countries of the world. Even though current industrial activity in major developing countries such as China is adding incrementally to that stock and India to a much lesser degree.

It is not that developing countries are claiming the right to emit as much CO2 as possible. As the main victims of climate change– the impacts of which they are already suffering – they have a much bigger stake in this challenge. They are, in fact, doing much more than most developed countries, within the limits of their own resources.

Historically  global warming is the consequence of the stock of greenhouse gas emissions, chiefly CO2, which has accumulated in the Earth’s atmosphere as a result of fossil fuel based industrial activity in the industrialized (Devloped) countries of the world. Even though current industrial activity in major developing countries such as China is adding incrementally to that stock and India to a much lesser degree.

It is not that developing countries are claiming the right to emit as much CO2 as possible. As the main victims of climate change– the impacts of which they are already suffering – they have a much bigger stake in this challenge. They are, in fact, doing much more than most developed countries, within the limits of their own resources.

There has been a 20-fold increase in the number of global climate change laws since 1997, according to the most comprehensive database of relevant policy and legislation. The study found that the international response to climate change has been inadequate, but not zero. However, there is room for much more.

There are 1,800 climate change laws worldwide. Data on legislative activity in 133 countries over the period 1999–2016 to identify impact of climate legislation. Each new law reduces annual carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions per unit of gross domestic product by 0.78% nationally in the short term (during the first three years) and by 1.79% in the long term (beyond three years). The results are driven by parliamentary acts by countries.

Also read :UP coronavirus count cross 41000-mark since March 2

Also read : No preferential treatment for Hong Kong : says US

To stop global warming to reach from more than 2 degree Centigrade it’s probably a question of stronger laws, not more laws. we have to now strengthen those frameworks, implement stronger policies, more focused support on energy efficiency, better prohibitions on land use in developing nations as well.

(Author is an Environmentalist, Independent Journalist & Strategic communicator)