COMMENT: Could UNFCCC COP 29 be the Watershed

For Finding a Solution to Reduce Emissions Equitably ~

A Pathway to a Level Playing Field for Reaching Net Zero?

KEY WORDS: Paris Agreement; COP 29; emissions; net zero; António Guterres; equity; CBDR-RC Principle; level playing field; relevant and reliable science; IPCC Task Force National GHG Inventories; illusory promise (Posted 27 May 2024)

1.0 In 2023, the U.N. Secretary-General, António Guterres identified the  CBDR-RC Principle as a key driver for achieving net zero deadlines - subject to a significant condition: “Every country must be part of  the solution. Demanding others move first only ensures humanity comes last”.

2.0 However, since its inception, the CBDR-RC Principle has fuelled information conflicts over inequality and competitive advantage, creating a controversy that limited its adoption!

3.0 The article highlights the very wide disparity in national contributions to global emissions: Most emissions come from just a few countries; not all countries face the same level of national responsibility to reduce emissions to achieve the net-zero goal.

4.0 To resolve the controversy, the article outlines a pathway to reduce emissions based on Paris Agreement binding  obligations: By recognizing that an effective linkage between the fair treatment guideline equity, and the CBDR-RC Principle, would provide the framework for a level playing field.

5.0 It would enable all countries to share the responsibility for reducing their emissions, equitably, in accordance with their actual contribution to historic global temperature rise.

The role of equity, would be to ensure that national outcomes

from taking action to reduce emissions under the CBDR-RC principle,

would minimise the extent to which environmental costs and benefits -

ecological, economic, social, cultural  - were shared disproportionately

between all 195 Parties that have ratified the Paris Agreement.

6.0 In 2023, the call is for ”All governments, first and foremost the biggest emitters, to take bold, immediate steps towards reducing emissions now”.

Resolving the ongoing controversy over adoption of the CBDR-RC Principle should be a priority issue for UNFCCC COP 29 in November 2024 in Baku, Azerbaijan.

READ MORE...on the pathway to a level playing field.