The Economist: Progress on climate change has been too slow. But it’s been real
November 23, 2023 The Paris Agreement, established during the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in 2015, was seen as a pivotal but limited step in combating climate change. While it lacked the authority to enforce actions or halt the fossil fuel era overnight, it did set the stage for subsequent COP meetings to conduct a global stocktake of progress towards its goals. As delegates gather for the 28th COP in Dubai, the initial assessment of this stocktake reveals some unexpected positives. Policies implemented since Paris have led to a reduction in the projected global warming by 2100, from over 3°C to around 2.5-2.9°C. This improvement, albeit insufficient, is attributed to the increased adoption of renewable energy and carbon-pricing schemes worldwide. Although Paris catalyzed this progress, it did not directly fund the investments necessary for renewable energy expansion. Moreover, despite advancements, global warming continues, with recent years experiencing record-breaking temperatures. To address this, discussions around unconventional solutions like solar geoengineering are gaining traction, prompting calls for international debate and regulation. While mechanisms for carbon dioxide removal align with COP’s objectives, concerns arise regarding potential misuse by oil companies to justify continued emissions. To address this, countries must outline explicit removal plans in their next round of commitments due by 2025, separating targets for emissions reduction and removals to ensure accountability. Though COP meetings cannot enforce immediate change, they play a crucial role in framing global climate debates and establishing essential regulations. As the world faces escalating climate challenges, effective collaboration and decisive action are imperative to drive progress towards a sustainable future.