Major Economies Absent in Climate Ambition Summit, Leaders Urged to Take Action
The recent Climate Ambition Summit held in New York as part of the United Nations General Assembly saw the absence of major economies, including China, the United States, and India. These countries are significant contributors to global greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for approximately 42% collectively. The summit aimed to showcase leaders who are actively taking action to address the climate crisis and keep the 1.5°C degree goal of the Paris Agreement alive.
Despite about 100 heads of state responding to the call from Secretary General Antonio Guterres to ramp up climate action, only representatives from 34 states and 7 institutions were given the opportunity to speak at the summit. While neighboring countries of India such as Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Pakistan were among the speakers, major economies like China, the United States, and India were notably absent. However, the European Union, Germany, France, Canada, and other emerging economies like South Africa and Brazil were present to share their commitments and plans.
To be considered for a speaking slot at the summit, countries were required to present various criteria, including updated pre-2030 Nationally Determined Contributions, net-zero targets, energy transition plans with commitments to renewable energy, fossil fuel phase-out plans, and more ambitious climate targets. The goal was to encourage all G-20 governments and major emitters to commit to presenting more ambitious economy-wide emission reduction plans by 2025.
The Climate Ambition Summit this year set a high bar for participation. The Secretary-General’s Climate Action Team engaged governments, businesses, and local authorities with transition plans to reach net zero, said Stéphane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General. It remains unclear whether India participated in the summit as no official response has been provided.
India last updated its climate pledges in 2022, committing to reduce emissions intensity by 45% by 2030 compared to 2005 levels. The government also aims to meet 50% of its electric power needs through renewable energy sources and create additional carbon sinks through forest and tree cover. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced in 2021 that India would achieve net zero emissions by 2070. While some argue that India’s commitments are insufficient to limit global temperature rise to below 2°C, others highlight India’s low per capita emissions and its commitment to the Paris Agreement’s goals.
The urgency of the climate crisis and the need for immediate action were emphasized by Secretary-General Guterres in his address at the summit. He warned that if nothing changes, we are heading towards a dangerous and unstable world with a 2.8-degree temperature rise. The global community must prioritize climate solutions to address the scale of the challenge and prevent catastrophic consequences.
Overall, the absence of major economies in the Climate Ambition Summit raises concerns about their commitment to tackling the climate crisis. Leaders from around the world are urged to take bold and tangible actions to reduce their emissions, transition to renewable energy sources, and develop comprehensive plans for adaptation and resilience. The summit highlighted the need for stronger commitments to keep global temperature rise below 1.5°C and deliver climate justice to those most affected by the climate crisis.
