Only 16 countries have emissions reduction targets matching their promises to avoid catastrophic climate change

(The Independent, 29 Oct 2018) 'We have 12 years to get our act together... So you need to set really clear targets in order to know you are on track to meeting those goals'.

Just 16 countries have set clear goals for cutting greenhouse gas emissions that will allow them to match their ambitious pledges to tackle climate change.

In a new report, climate experts have warned of discrepancies between big promises made on the global stage and domestic targets backed up by law.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change issued a warning earlier this month of catastrophic outcomes without drastic emissions cuts over the next decade. 

In light of this, and with an upcoming major UN summit to discuss the world’s approach to global warming, the authors of the report say nations need to set clear plans about how they are going to stop pumping greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

“We have 12 years to get our act together, and in order to do that you really need to know what you are going to be doing in the next six months, in the next two years, in the next 12 years,” explained Dr Michal Nachmany from the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment.

“So you need to set really clear targets in order to know you are on track to meeting those goals.”

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The Independent, 29 Oct 2018: Only 16 countries have emissions reduction targets matching their promises to avoid catastrophic climate change