Former US secretary of state John Kerry at the COP25 climate conference on December 10 2019 in Madrid, Spain. Picture: GETTY IMAGES/PABLO BLAZQUEZThe US and Saudi Arabia are among major polluters showing “hardly any signs” of reducing their greenhouse gas production, a global assessment of countries’ emissions trajectories said on Tuesday at UN climate talks.
While climate performance varied greatly — even within the EU, with Sweden leading the way — the report found that none of the countries surveyed were currently on a path compatible with the Paris climate goals. The 2015 accord saw nations agree to work towards limiting global temperature rises to “well below” 2°C above pre-industrial levels.China, the world’s largest, single emitter, was found to have taken “medium action” due to its high investment in renewables.
“The index shows signs of a global turnaround in emissions, including declining coal consumption. However, several large countries are still trying to resist this trend — above all, the US,” she said. “Much will depend on further developments in China and the elections in the US.”