What Progress Has Been Made Towards Climate Change?

Climate change has been a pressing global issue for decades, with increasing concerns about its impact on the environment, human health, and the economy. While the problem is far from being solved, significant progress has been made in recent years towards mitigating the effects of climate change. In this article, we will explore the notable achievements and areas where further action is needed.

Renewable Energy

One of the most significant advancements in the fight against climate change is the growth of renewable energy sources. Renewable energy capacity, such as wind and solar power, has increased dramatically over the past decade. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), renewable energy accounted for 26% of global electricity generation in 2020, up from 21% in 2010.

Solar energy has experienced a remarkable expansion, with solar power becoming one of the cheapest forms of electricity globally. In 2020, solar energy capacity reached 720 gigawatts (GW), up from just 40 GW in 2010.

Electric Vehicle Adoption

Another area of progress is the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs). EVs have become increasingly popular in recent years, with many countries implementing policies to encourage their adoption. In 2020, over 2 million EVs were sold globally, a significant increase from the 54,000 sold in 2010.

Many countries have set targets to phase out internal combustion engines and transition to electric vehicles. In Norway, for example, EVs account for over 50% of new car sales, while in the UK, the government has set a target of banning new petrol and diesel car sales by 2030.

Carbon Pricing

Carbon pricing is another important area of progress. Carbon pricing mechanisms, such as carbon taxes or cap-and-trade systems, are designed to put a price on carbon emissions and provide a financial incentive for companies to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.

Over 60 countries have implemented carbon pricing mechanisms, with many more expected to follow. In 2020, the European Union’s Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) was expanded to include more sectors, such as buildings and waste, and the carbon price increased to €25 per tonne.

International Agreements

The Paris Agreement, signed in 2015, has been a major milestone in international cooperation on climate change. The agreement aims to limit global warming to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and pursue efforts to limit it to 1.5°C. Over 180 countries have signed the agreement, committing to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change.

Challenges Remain

While significant progress has been made towards addressing climate change, there is still much work to be done. The IPCC special report on global warming of 1.5°C warns that we are running out of time to limit the catastrophic impacts of climate change.

Challenges persist in several areas, including:

• Transitioning to a low-carbon economy: Many countries still rely heavily on fossil fuels and lack the infrastructure and policies to support a low-carbon transition.
• Funding climate change mitigation: Developing countries require significant financing to transition to a low-carbon economy and adapt to the impacts of climate change. Developed countries have not yet delivered on their promise to mobilize $100 billion per year in climate finance.
• Addressing climate-related displacement: Climatic events are displacing millions of people worldwide, with many countries lacking the capacity to manage climate-related migration and resettlement.

Conclusion

While significant progress has been made towards addressing climate change, there is still much work to be done to mitigate its impacts. Continued growth in renewable energy, electric vehicle adoption, and carbon pricing will be critical to meeting global climate goals. International cooperation and funding for climate change mitigation and adaptation will also be essential. As the saying goes, “We are the first generation to feel the impact of climate change, and we are the last generation that can do something about it.”