The Economist on LinkedIn: President-elect Joe Biden has promised to rejoin the Paris agreement

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President-elect Joe Biden has promised to rejoin the Paris agreement on climate change as soon as he enters the White House. Most countries are eager to welcome America back. In the past eight weeks, China, Japan and South Korea have vowed to reduce net emissions to zero by mid-century or thereabouts. This chart shows which economies have committed themselves to emissions cuts that are in line with limiting global warming to 2°C above pre-industrial levels or less. Mr Biden has said he intends to adopt a target of net-zero emissions by 2050, which modellers say will shave 0.1°C off their temperature projections for the end of the century. Most observers believe a 45-50% decrease from 2005 levels by 2030 would be tough but feasible, fair and commensurate with what Europe is doing. When it comes to America’s stance on the environment, what other changes might Mr Biden make? Our Climate Issue newsletter, delivered fortnightly, offers the best of our climate-change analysis. Sign up here https://lnkd.in/eNttrQd

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Brent U.

This is a concerning trendline from China. EU and US reducing carbon emissions but China increase continues unabated? Pledges like the Paris Accord only help the cheaters gain a competitive advantage if not uniformly adhered to by all signatories. Looks to me like whatever reductions the world makes, China's carbon increases will more than offset. Responsible nations and multi-national corporations should take note of this and apply economic pressure but probably won't want to risk the ire of the Iron Dragon.

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John Bullen

Clearly an unrealistic ask of China which is also at an early developmental stage?

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Philippe Namy

China is cheating

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Marcel Pereira

It is impossible to believe that this China forecast movement will be happening...

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H S Friday, PhD

Biden would have more leverage by refusing to enter Paris until China and India agree to large immediate cuts and significant penalties for their failure to do so. The US and Europe are already doing their share. China engulfs us.

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Craig Jones

Saw this post and thought of the book Factfulness by Hans Rosling. Particularly his point about 'The Blame Instict', western developed countries tend to blame the likes of China and India for co2 emissions; when they have more co2 emissions per capita and have been the biggest contributors historically (which all adds up). It does look like western developed nations are doing more to reduce co2 emissions. However, all the evidence would point to the idea that climate change is already in motion and it's more about damage control now. Still vitally important. I'd like to see a graphic about which countries are the most committed to helping poorer countries who are going to be hardest hit by climate change, even though they have been the lowest contributors to o2 emissions. For example, the poorest one billion people are responsible for around 1% of co2 emissions, but the poorest people are the ones that are going to be hit hardest by climate change. It's nice to see countries commit to lowering co2, but who is going to accept responsibility for the eventual fallout that is already in motion? Do we accept more refugees into wealthy countries? Do we send more financial aid?

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Shawn M.

If you believe this; then you are really naive with history. When have governments ever told the public the truth. Or better question when don’t they? This reminds me of something that happened to me once. I was doing this manual labour job and managed to get the highest scan count; way above everyone else there at the job. Between 60-90 per day and the second next best was 45. Of course instead of reward me; which is what I ignorantly thought would happen; considering I was running around like a maniac. The regional manager used me as “proof” that it was possible to other employees. Of course people didn’t like that; so I had local manager on my tail telling me I needed to do more. When I advised him that it wasn’t likely unless some health or otherwise was neglected. That manager called his manager; then that manager complained to the site mgr; because I was disputing a direct order. It felt strangely misguided as I was purely stating what I felt; I said I would try. They then asked if I thought another department would be easier; I was put on a forklift without training. When they came around with the results; I was told mine was not on the tally; when trying to look it was pulled away. That same day I was let go.

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Larry Kuehn

As all presidents have historically done, promise something that is not feasible but is far enough in the future that they will not be held accountable. To further the idea of a lower the carbon footprint, no country of poverty will ever be able to sustain any type of action. India, China and Russia will always be the worlds top producers of Co2. The climate accord is a waste of us dollars.

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Arun Kelshiker CFA, CAIA

Within #climatechange, the debate “who's responsible for Green House Gas Emissions (GHGs)” continues. Key points include the economic ambitions of today’s largest emitters vs the historical cumulative contribution of GHGs from Developed Nations. Many thanks to Hannah Ritchie & Max Roser for an excellent summary. Hannah Ritchie and Max Roser (2017) - "CO₂ and Greenhouse Gas Emissions". Published online at Our World in Data. Retrieved from: https://lnkd.in/dZgBQxn

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Patricia L A.

Clearly, there are more important and pressing issues that are focused on OUR COUNTRY, then addressing climate change and joining the Paris Accord. But, clearly, that is not Joe's top priority!

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