STATEMENT: Country Coalition Commits to Steep Emission Cuts to Align with Net Zero Goals

STATEMENT: Country Coalition Commits to Steep Emission Cuts to Align with Net Zero Goals

November 21, 2024

Statement

International Climate Action

BAKU (November 21, 2024) - Today, at the COP29 climate summit, a group of developed and developing nations - including Canada, Chile, the European Union, Georgia, Mexico, Norway and Switzerland -- committed to submit nationally determined contributions (NDCs) that are consistent with IPCC trajectories in line with efforts to limit global warming to 1.5 C, include economy-wide emission reduction targets that cover all greenhouse gases and sustain steep emission cuts that fully align with their own goals to reach net-zero emissions.

Their joint release recognizes the critical role of major emitters to limiting global warming and encourages countries to set and/or accelerate their net-zero greenhouse gas emissions goals. The release also acknowledges the United Kingdom, Brazil, and the United Arab Emirates' 2035 emission reduction targets.

These countries collectively represent roughly 30% of global GDP and nearly 15% of global GHG emissions.

Following is a statement from Melanie Robinson, Global Climate, Economics and Finance Director at World Resources Institute:

"This announcement by a diverse coalition of countries is a powerful display of leadership in the final days of the UN climate talks. Any serious chance of meeting global climate goals requires all major emitters to make deep and sustained emission cuts that offer a credible path to reach their net-zero promises.

"The United Kingdom and Brazil announce targets that, if fully achieved, would put them on track for net-zero. Now, it is imperative that all major emitters follow their lead with bold, actionable commitments of their own. And crucially, countries must embed climate action at the core of their economic and sectoral strategies, backed by transformative policies and catalytic investments.

"This new pledge offers a benchmark for determining whether major emitters are genuinely living up to their climate promises or falling behind. It marks a major step forward in translating what the ambitious outcome of the Global Stocktake means for individual countries.

"We encourage all nations to explore whether they can fast-track their net zero targets to boost our odds of avoiding far worse climate impacts."

RELEASE: New report finds ambitious action by G20 countries alone can limit warming to 1.7°C, keeping 1.5°C goal within reach

News September 16, 2021