The climate crisis continues to wreak havoc across the world, with extreme weather events becoming more frequent and devastating. This year, no country has been spared, with devastating wildfires in Canada, record temperatures in the southwest United States, devastating floods in Libya and staggering heat waves across the planet.
Unfortunately, despite this tangible reality of the climate crisis, experts are seeing a worrying decline in climate actions this year. Environmental policies were weakened, new oil and gas projects were approved, and coal saw something of a resurgence.
Recent reports have shown that countries are far from meeting their goals of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. Instead, the world is heading toward warming of up to 2.9 degrees, according to the United Nations Environment Program. And this, even if current climate policies are respected.
As countries gather in Dubai for the UN COP28 climate summit, expectations are high, but the level of country commitment is significantly lower. They are going backwards on their climate commitments rather than moving forward.
A glaring example of this decline is the approval of major oil and gas projects. Despite warnings from the IEA (International Energy Agency) two years ago that there must be no more investment in new fossil fuel projects to meet international climate goals, the Biden administration approved the massive and controversial “Willow” oil drilling project in Alaska. A decision that clearly goes against the United States’ national climate goals.
Across the Atlantic, the United Kingdom announced plans in July to expand the oil and gas industry in the North Sea. The government has promised to award hundreds of new drilling licenses, much to the dismay of climate advocates who see it as a blow to the country’s climate commitments.
And these are just two examples of the continued expansion of fossil fuels by rich countries. If this expansion continues, it will lead to catastrophic consequences for the climate and an unlivable future.
Alongside the expansion of fossil fuels, climate policies themselves have been weakened. In Europe, for example, an unexpected battle broke out last spring over a ban on the sale of new cars running on gas and diesel. Although the legislation seemed certain, Germany introduced a loophole at the last moment allowing the sale of internal combustion cars running on synthetic fuels beyond the 2035 deadline. A decision which sends a worrying signal of decline in climate policies.
In many European countries, there is also resistance to green plans. An attempt in Germany to enact a law to replace fossil fuel heating systems with more efficient systems running on renewable energy has been weakened following widespread opposition.
In the UK, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced a weakening of the government’s climate commitments in September, which was criticized by the independent climate advisory body which said it would make it harder to meet future targets. .
Even as many countries commit to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, it is essential that these commitments are followed by concrete actions. Unfortunately, we are seeing more and more setbacks in the implementation of these commitments, which is very worrying for the climate emergency.
It is urgent that countries around the world truly realize the urgency of the climate crisis and act accordingly. It’s time to end the expansion of fossil fuels, strengthen climate policies and take bold action to combat global warming. Time is running out and each year of delay has disastrous consequences for our planet and future generations.