Australia, which plans to host a 2026 UN climate summit, announced a pledge that by 2035, it would slash greenhouse gas emissions to between 62 per cent and 70 per cent below 2005 levels.
“We want to bring the world with us on climate change, not by asking any nation to forego the jobs or security that its people deserve, but by working with every nation to seize and share those opportunities,” said Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Palau, representing the 39-member Alliance of Small Island States, announced its own goal of slashing emissions to 44 per cent of 2015 levels by 2035.Â
It reminded leaders of the advisory opinion issued by the International Court of Justice earlier this year that affirmed an “obligation grounded in international law” for governments to take stronger measures to curb their greenhouse gas emissions.
Surangel Whipps, president of Palau, called on major economies to take more aggressive action.
“Those with the greatest responsibility and the greatest capacity to act must do far more,” he said.
AMBITION FALLS SHORT
Li Shuo, director of the China Climate Hub at the Asia Society, said China’s announcement underwhelmed in light of its rapid production of renewable energy and electric vehicles.
“Beijing’s commitment represents a cautious move that extends a long-standing political tradition of prioritising steady, predictable decision making but also hides a more significant economic reality,” he said.
But China’s dominance as a green technology superpower and Washington’s retreat from the clean energy transition could push China toward a more proactive role on the global stage, he said.
Teresa Anderson, Global Lead on Climate Justice at ActionAid International, said the EU’s “lowball statement of intent” signals a “deeper political sickness” reflecting a lack of will to push back against corporate polluters.
“Rich polluting countries like the EU must go much further in practice than these lowball statements of intent,” she said.Â
Source: CNA
