Countries must act quickly to build on Paris Agreement commitments

Nearly nine years after the Paris Agreement, the world still faces worsening climate impacts, a faster timeline to net zero and the urgent need for nations to increase their ambition to phase out fossil fuels.

Todd Stern reports for The Atlantic.

In short:

• The Paris Agreement pushed countries to set emissions targets, but extreme climate events are happening faster than predicted.
• Clean energy advances have been remarkable, but fossil-fuel interests remain powerful obstacles to reducing emissions.
• Future international cooperation and higher emissions goals, especially from major polluters like China, are essential to meet climate targets.

Key quote:

“Only when a critical mass within [countries] becomes noisy and powerful enough to push governments into action” will we act at the right speed.

— David Roberts, clean-tech blogger

Why this matters:

Despite progress, the fossil-fuel industry’s political power and climate disasters’ increasing severity threaten global efforts. Stronger commitments are essential to limit warming to 1.5°C, avoid catastrophic impacts and secure a sustainable future.

Related:

• Governments urged to set clean energy mandates to trigger positive tipping points
• Campaigners take EU to court over weak climate targets
• Trump’s climate policy legacy has lasting effects at home and globally