Change in the air: Progress by China, US and India on carbon cuts raises hope for climate change deal in Paris
James Wertsch, Shen Dingli and Swaran Singh say the substantial carbon emission targets announced by the world's major economies are raising hope for a comprehensive climate change agreement in Paris
With India's submission to the UN this month of its intended contributions on carbon emission cuts, all the major economies have now formally submitted pledges, setting the stage for a positive outcome at the Paris climate change summit that begins next month.
While US and EU leaders have been at the forefront in building a global consensus on climate change, it is China - the world's largest emitter of carbon dioxide since 2006 - that has taken the lead in promising to reduce "carbon intensity". Beijing has pledged to reduce its carbon emissions per unit of gross domestic product generation by as much as 60 to 65 per cent of its 2005 levels, by 2030.
The European Union has pledged to reduce the same by 40 per cent, and Brazil by 37 per cent, both by 2030. The US, meanwhile, has pledged to reduce emissions by between 26 and 28 per cent by 2025.
On the whole, Chinese and Indian leaders have shown commendable perseverance in balancing domestic pressures with international expectations
While most EU leaders, especially Angela Merkel, have clearly put climate change on their agendas ahead of the Paris summit, the US has taken the lead in engaging emerging powers like China, India and Brazil. President Barack Obama's separate meetings with President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for example, have produced greater understanding among the three economies, the world's top three carbon emitters. All have made a serious commitment to act.
