US President recently hosted a virtual Leaders’ Summit on Climate, bringing together 40 global leaders, including the Prime Minister of India. The aim was to emphasize the pressing need for more robust climate action. Widely viewed as a significant step on the path to the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 26) held in November 2021 in Glasgow, Scotland, this summit marked a crucial milestone in international efforts to address climate change.
About Leaders Summit on Climate
- Leaders Summit on Climate is a conference hosted by the United States(US) President on Earth Day.
- The summit coincides with the fifth anniversary of the opening of the Paris Agreement on climate change for signature.
- Summit is also a precursor to the United Nations Climate Change Conference(COP26) that will take place later this year in Glasgow.
Objectives of the Summit
The summit brings together 40 leaders of major economies. Its main objectives are:
- Get the world’s major economies to reduce emission in this decade while also getting the public and private sector involvement.
- Show how climate action can have economic and social benefits.
- Use the technology available to reduce emissions and adapt to Climate Change.
- Use nature-based solutions to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
Key Takeaways from the Summit
- India has proactively embraced clean energy, energy efficiency, afforestation, and biodiversity conservation, positioning itself among the select nations with Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) aligned with the 2-degree Celsius target.
- Notably, India boasts a per capita carbon footprint that is 60% lower than the global average. This achievement is attributed to the nation’s lifestyle, deeply rooted in sustainable traditional practices.
India – U.S. Climate and Clean Energy Agenda 2030 Partnership
India and the U.S. introduced the Climate and Clean Energy Agenda 2030 Partnership, focusing on key goals:
- To mobilise finance and speed for clean energy deployment;
- To demonstrate and scale innovative clean technologies needed to decarbonise sectors including industry, transportation, power, and buildings.
- To build capacity to measure, manage and adapt to the risks of climate-related impacts.
The collaboration will advance on two key fronts: the strategic clean energy partnership and the climate action and finance mobilization dialogue. These efforts will leverage and encompass various existing processes, fostering a comprehensive approach to address environmental challenges.
Commitments by US
- The United States has set an ambitious goal to slash its overall greenhouse gas emissions by 50-52% from 2005 levels by 2030.
- In a significant move, the U.S. has announced its latest commitment to the Paris Agreement, outlining plans to achieve a substantial reduction of 50-52% in economy-wide net greenhouse gas pollution by 2030, compared to 2005 levels.
Read Also: Glasgow Leaders Declaration on Forests and Land Use
