Vulnerable countries: high emitters must act

Some of the countries most vulnerable to climate breakdown have called on the UN and climate progressive countries to help them ensure high emitters upgrade their carbon targets, as called for at the COP26 in Glasgow. Countries such as Australia, which has refused to embrace strong carbon-cutting targets, would lose out economically. It would be “an uphill battle” to ensure adequate revisions to national carbon targets, and all those who want to see climate action must use the coming year to put pressure on the governments that had inadequate plans. At COP26, countries came forward with emissions-cutting targets, known as nationally determined contributions (NDCs), that would lead to an estimated 2.4°C of heating, far in excess of the 1.5°C set out in the Paris agreement. All countries agreed to return next year to COP27 in Egypt with reviewed targets. However, some countries are reluctant to strengthen their targets – Australia has already signalled its refusal, while the US and the EU have said their targets are good enough.

Source; Climate-vulnerable countries call for help forcing high emitters to act, The Guardian 18 November 2021