Last December, countries around the globe came up with a 'historic deal' on climate change at Global Climate Summit in Paris. Over a hundred and ninety countries reached the agreement after several rounds of table talks. Paris Agreement certainly mesmerises us all. As a climate change enthusiast I have been following the global politics of climate change and more specifically the annual Conference of Parties (COP) since 2009. I believe this deal will be applauded for many years. But it came a little late.If we go back to the 15th COP in Copenhagen, we have been late by six years in achieving this new deal. The so-called 'Hopenhagen'—full of hopes—turned many of us down after the countries failed to come up with an agreement. Finally, after these many years, key nations like US, China and India who had been reluctant on a deal finally agreed to get to work.
Basically, leaders who gathered in Paris have pledged to reduce global carbon emissions and set the level of global warming to well below 2 degree Celsius above pre-industrial levels. The deal also puts forward further aspiration of limiting temperature rise to 1.5 degree Celsius above pre-industrial level, with regular reviews to be made every five years.
Countries have agreed to balance sources and sinks of greenhouse gases and to work for a greener future. Likewise, climate finance fund of US $100 billion has been set by developed countries for the developing countries to invest on clean and renewable energy as well as technologies. The agreement also provides Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Least Developed Countries (LDCs) special badge with regard to climate financing and reporting. So, will this deal be a milestone in resolving ongoing climate change? I am not optimistic.
First, the Paris deal offers just a ray of hope and hope is not only enough to resolve outstanding issues. In fact, we have been way behind in dealing with the nature and we shall now have to act as one to avoid foreseeable disasters.
Second, there are several doubts with regard to 'commitment' of individual countries. This seed of doubt emerges from that fact that Paris Climate Agreement is not legally binding. While even the legally binding Kyoto Protocol failed during its second commitment period, after several nations declined to ratify the protocol, a non-binding agreement has much higher chances of failure. Thus the question of whether the countries are really serious about climate crisis will be raised until there is a clear show of enthusiasm.
Finally, the largest emitters—US, China and India—are yet to frame policies and procedures to achieve set targets. Although back in 2014 the US and China shook hands to cut emissions, they didn't do much thereafter. Back then, President Obama's administration had announced a cut of 30 percent by 2030, as compared to the levels of 2005. Similarly, President Xi Jinping of China had announced 35 percent emission cut by the end of 2020, compared to the 2005 levels.
Our action is way behind the rate at which the environment is being depleted. It was on May 9, 2013 the daily readings made at Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii recorded the level of carbon dioxide (CO2) at 400 ppm, for the first time ever since atmospheric recording at the observatory started 55 years ago. At that time scientists had noted that level of CO2 was the highest ever since Pliocene era—between three to five million years ago—when human civilization did not even exist.
Level of emission and depletion of natural resources are at their peak. Day by day forests are being rapidly cleared and hundreds of flora and fauna are added to the list of vulnerable and endangered species. Smog and chemicals enter human body and impair their health and lives. Climate change indeed has a vast impact on every aspect of life on the planet. So my response to Paris Deal: Better late than never.
The author is a senior business development officer at Prixa Technologies, a software firm
prayash@prixa.org
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