Russia—Falling Behind Russia is one of the countries with the largest carbon footprints due to its size but it has not yet ratified the Paris Agreement. However, an Action Plan for Improvement of State GHG Emission Regulation and Preparation for Ratification of the Paris Agreement was finally approved on November 3, 2016. A model for...
Category: Archives
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Nigeria Checkup
Nigeria—Moving Forward Nigeria has made some progress with respect to the Paris Agreement. It signed the agreement in September 2016 and ratified it in March 2017, and thus committed to reducing its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The country has instituted policy initiatives that are relevant to climate change including its adoption in 2013 of a...
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Mexico Checkup
Mexico—Falling Behind Mexico has had continuous participation in the international climate change arena since the UNFCCC was established back in 1993. However, one can question whether Mexico’s engagement at the international level has translated into effective climate change policy. In ‘Not on the “Paris Track”: Climate Protection Efforts in Developing Countries’, authors Jann Lay and...
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Japan Checkup
Japan—Falling Behind The Japanese Government submitted their INDC (Intended Nationally Determined Contributions) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Japan pledged to reduce greenhouse gases by 26 % below 2013 levels, by 2030. In order to achieve this promise, the Japanese Cabinet approved the Global Warming Countermeasure Plan on May 2016. However, Japan’s...
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Italy Checkup
Italy—Falling Behind In the Paris Agreement, the European Union (EU), and thus Italy, committed to a reduction of at least 40% of greenhouse gases emissions by 2030 compared to 1990. In November 2016, the European Commission published the report “Implementing the Paris Agreement: Progress of the EU towards the at least -40% target” which provides...
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Indonesia Checkup
Indonesia—Moving Forward Indonesia is moving in the right direction to meet its pledge under the Paris Agreement. The policy framework is in place to achieve its INDC. However, poor implementation policies, a low capacity for enforcement and monitoring, and poor institutional governance cast doubt on Indonesia’s ability to meet its pledge. If Indonesia improves implementation...
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India Checkup
India—Standing Still The continuing rapid growth in renewable energy in India, combined with sustained reductions in coal imports and a slow down in coal development—with coal-fired “ultra-mega power projects” cancelled—is a strong indication that the low carbon transformation of India’s energy supply sector is gathering momentum. Several recent articles in The Guardian and Financial Times seem...
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Germany Checkup
Germany—Moving Forward Germany’s Efforts to Reduce CO2 Emission and Comply with the Paris Agreement The EU made commitments to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions under the Paris Agreement on climate change through an Effort Sharing Decision (ESD). The ESD requires member countries to submit biannual reports on their progress in meeting set emission targets in...
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France Checkup
France—Standing Still On March 6, 2015, the EU and its Member States (including France) communicated their INDC in conformity with the Paris Agreement. The EU and its Member States are committed to a binding target of at least 40% domestic reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 compared to 1990, to be fulfilled jointly. The...
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China Checkup
China—Moving Forward Ecofys Consultancy, an energy and climate consulting group, has determined China to be in good stead to achieve, and even surpass, its pledge for the Paris Climate Agreement. Earlier this year, China demonstrated positive developments in coal use as it canceled the construction of over 100 coal power stations. This effort is recognized...