VINACHEM

The Organization for Economic and Cooperation Development (OECD) recently said that plans by rich nations and major emerging countries to cut greenhouse gas emissions are not enough to limit the rise in global temperatures to 2 degrees Celsius.

It’s a disappointing outcome following a series of international activities to mitigate climate change. It means countries have to act effectively rather than just planning.
A report from the OECD analysed past efforts and new pledges by its 34 members and 10 partner countries, including China and India, who together contribute more than 80% to global carbon emissions.

Visible consequences

The OECD’s report coincided with a week of talks involving 200 countries in Bonn, Germany, in preparation for the UN summit on Climate Change in Paris in December. The report assesses the feasibility of staying within the 2 degrees Celsius warming limit until 2020 and minimizing severe heat, droughts, floods, and species extinctions.

Climate specialist Mikaela Rambali, who co-authored the report, said, "Countries have made efforts but these are not sufficient to reach their own targets, let alone reach the 2 degrees Celsius objective.”

The World Meteorological Organization said 2014 was the hottest year in history, with an average temperature of 14.58 DC, 1.24 DC higher than the average temperature of the 20th century.

A report from the Intergovernmental Panel Committee on Climate said that mankind does not sharply reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the world will suffer intensified drought, flood, and prolonged heat waves.

Challenges

So far about 150 nations have submitted national plans for fighting climate change after 2020. 58 countries who together produce more than 60% of global carbon emissions, have made public their commitments.

The US intends to reduce carbon emissions 26-28% between 2005 and 2025. The EU hopes to reduce carbon emissions 40% between 1990 and 2030. China will cut its CO2 emissions per unit of GDP by 60-65% between 2005 and 2030.

At the preparatory meeting in Bonn for the UN summit on Climate Change in December, delegates are seeking consensus on two big issues: phasing out the use of fossil fuels by the end of the century and adjusting climate change targets in 2020 instead of in 2024.

A plan for financing poorer countries is still being discussed. Rich countries are very far from raising the US$100 billion they promised to help poor countries fight climate change. Those countries have pledged to contribute US$10.2 billion by June 30. US$4 billion is ready for disbursement now in the form of non-refundable aid.