Limit the heating to 1.5°C is a limit, not a goal “. Major companies such as Ikea, Microsoft, Bayer, EDF, H&M, Ikea, Nestlé, Saint-Gobain, Unilever or even Volvo signed an appeal on Saturday calling on governments to respect their commitments in the fight against climate change.
Governments around the world agreed in 2015 to try to limit the average global temperature rise to 1.5°C under the Paris Agreement, seen as a major step forward in the fight against climate change. But greenhouse gas emissions have risen steadily ever since, and scientists say the target may not be met without rapid and deep reductions.
According to the UN, the various countries’ current commitments leave the planet on track for a catastrophic warming of 2.8°C. This is far beyond the goals of the Paris Agreement, the cornerstone of the fight against climate change. Adding to the sense of urgency, a landmark report released Friday calculated that greenhouse gas emissions from burning fossil fuels will hit record highs again by 2022.
A clear target of 1.5°C to guide business
“ We need governments, starting with the world’s most advanced economies, to maintain their commitment to limiting warming to 1.5°C and act quickly to implement it. », indicates this statement signed by 200 companies, including some from sectors pointed out for their negative environmental impacts, and also by institutions such as The International Chamber of Commerce.
” It is an important initiative which emphasizes that we must see 1.5° not as a target or something vague, but as the limit of a lively world. ” declared former Irish President Mary Robinson in front of reporters leading “ wise men », a group founded by Nelson Mandela that brings together former leaders working for world peace. ” This is for governments, those here at the COP who have not yet raised their national ambitions as they promised in Glasgow, and especially the G20 who meet next week in Bali, Mary Robinson explained.
“ It’s really, really important that governments start taking seriously their responsibility to halve global emissions by 2030 as they rise. This is madness! she exclaimed.
María Mendiluce, CEO of the Coalition of Businesses Committed to the Climate We mean Business stressed the importance of maintaining a clear 1.5°C target to guide business. ” Once you have set yourself a budget and a limit, you can deliver results. “, she argued.
Some countries still oppose this 1.5°C target
However, this objective is not yet completely unanimous. A few countries have objected to US special climate envoy John Kerry mentioning the global goal of limiting warming to 1.5°C in the official text of the COP27 summit in Egypt. “ There are very few countries, but a few, that have raised the issue of not mentioning this or that word “, he said at a conference.” But the fact is that in the Glasgow document that was adopted, the terms are there. And I know (…) that Egypt does not intend to be the country that would take a step back from what was achieved in Glasgow John Kerry added, referring to last year’s COP summit in Scotland.
(With AFP and Reuters)