Conflict Drives Environmental Degradation: An Analysis
Updating the Climate Change Front: The Struggle Continues
The historic breakthrough in Paris Agreement's 2015 paved the way for the term 'carbon budget': nations pledged to exert efforts to limit temperature rise to 1.5°C, allowing scientists to quantify the emissions humanity can still release.
The correlation between atmospheric greenhouse gas concentration and temperature increase is evident, measurable, and predetermined: by 2028, we will have emitted enough greenhouse gases to surpass 1.5°C. Despite the clarity, climate action remains pushed aside. This apathy is concerning given that the repercussions of global warming will surpass the devastation caused by the wars we've fought—the yearly damages are predicted to surpass those of both World Wars combined, according to a calculation by former World Bank chief economist Nicolas Stern.
The advantage of carbon budget lies in the scientific verification provided for each nation and its citizens. For instance, Germany exhausts its carbon budget by March 2024, as stated by the Expert Council on Climate Questions to the federal government.
We pride ourselves on being an independent and left-wing news source, published daily since our inception in 1979. Our platform delivers a mixture of comments, essays, and debate texts, reflecting various perspectives within the broader left spectrum. Despite our convictions, there's still a lack of regulations on gas heaters, domestic flights, no meat tax, and incentives to build eco-friendly homes; even basic speed limits are missing. Instead, the federal government plans to construct new gas power plants with emissions expected to last for 30 years before they become profitable.
Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)
As of 2025, over 100 nations have vowed to reach zero emissions, largely by mid-century, by submitting updated NDCs. These NDCs provide targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and 2035, and strategies for building more climate-resilient and low-carbon economies. For example:
- The UK has raised its emissions reduction target to 81% below 1990 levels by 2035, aiming for net-zero by 2050.
- The US targets a reduction of emissions by 61%-66% below 2005 levels by 2035, aiming for net-zero by 2050.
- Japan has set an emissions reduction target of 60% below 2013 levels by 2035, also targeting net-zero by 2050.
- Both Brazil and Canada have increased their emissions reduction objectives for 2035 while maintaining net-zero targets by 2050.
The evolving NDCs will determine how close the world remains to the 1.5°C global average temperature rise limit and avoid the worst climate catastrophes[1].
Carbon Pricing Mechanisms
Carbon pricing has emerged as a leading policy tool, with 80 active carbon pricing instruments worldwide, including carbon taxes and cap-and-trade systems, amassing over $100 billion for public funds. This financial mechanism encourages cleaner technologies and renewable energy investment by imposing a cost on carbon emissions[5].
Contrasting Policy Developments
While many countries strengthen their climate commitments, some policies take steps backward. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed revoking GHG emissions standards for fossil fuel-fired power plants, which could hinder progress in that sector[2].
Summary
The global struggle to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adhere to the carbon budget involves:
- Ambitious and updated NDCs by over 100 nations targeting significant emissions reductions by 2030-2035 and net-zero by 2050.
- Utilization of carbon pricing instruments worldwide to incentivize emission cuts and generate funds for climate action.
- Acknowledgement of the urgency as the 1.5°C carbon budget may be depleted quickly without accelerated efforts.
- Mixed policy signals, with some countries strengthening commitments and others undermining regulations.
Together, these measures form a challenging but essential framework intended to mitigate the consequences of global warming through global cooperation and national policy synchronization[1][4][5][2].
- The updated NDCs by over 100 nations, including the UK, US, Japan, Brazil, and Canada, aim to reach zero emissions and build more climate-resilient economies by mid-century, with the UK setting a target of 81% emissions reduction by 2035.
- Despite the Paris Agreement and numerous updated NDCs, the repercussions of global warming are expected to surpass the devastation caused by wars, with yearly damages predicted to surpass those of both World Wars combined according to former World Bank chief economist Nicolas Stern.
- The political landscape plays a significant role in addressing climate change, as conflicting policy developments hinder progress, such as the US Environmental Protection Agency's proposal to revoke GHG emissions standards for fossil fuel-fired power plants, which could obstruct advancements in that sector.
