2020 was supposed to be a decisive year for climate action.
Countries were expected to put forward new, more ambitious climate plans (NDCs) in accordance with the Paris Agreement on climate change, kicking off a “decade of ambition.” It was scheduled to be a “super year,” with key events and international decisions for climate, biodiversity and the ocean.
Then COVID-19 happened.
As national and local governments are understandably and appropriately focused on controlling the spread of the coronavirus and providing immediate medical and income support to those affected, many plans have been put on hold.
The UN pushed its major climate and biodiversity summits to 2021 and rescheduled the negotiation sessions preceding them. Some countries delayed consultations and processes to prepare enhanced NDCs as they prioritize public health challenges. Millions of climate activists and citizens around the world are now using their keyboards instead of the streets to call for institutional changes for climate action.
At the same time, the effects of climate change – and the threats they pose to human health and economies – have not gone away. Similarly, authoritative scientific findings from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) underscore the need for greater ambition in countries’ climate and biodiversity plans.
Current NDCs put the world on a dangerous course to experience 2.9-3.4 degrees C (5.2-6.16.7 degrees F) of temperature rise, well above the 1.5 degrees C (2.7 degrees F) limit scientists say is necessary for preventing the worst effects of climate change. Leaders must make urgent choices to achieve better health, a safer society and more sustainable growth.
So, how can countries keep the momentum for climate action going as they battle the current coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis before them?
Sustaining Collective Climate Action During the Coronavirus Crisis
We already see some signs of progress even in the midst of our global public health crisis.
Against the backdrop of the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) hosted the Placencia Ambition Forum, bringing together a thousand participants virtually, including environment and other ministers, UN agencies, implementing partners, and representatives from the private sector and civil society. Small island states – among those most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, and most affected by its impacts – reiterated their commitment to climate action, in particular on energy, transport, resilience and adaptation, and climate finance.
“There can be no cure for climate inaction,” said Belize Prime Minister Dean Barrow. “Accordingly, we must all press for delivery on the promise of Paris […]. Members of [AOSIS] are redoubling efforts to articulate their own NDCs. In light of this, I have to be hopeful that major economies will present even more robust commitments in the coming months.”
At the 11th annual Petersberg Dialogue in April 2020, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and ministers and leaders from the private sector and civil society acknowledged the need to reflate and restore economies through a low-carbon, fair, resilient and inclusive pathway. As Rwanda’s Minister of Environment Dr. Jeanne d’Arc Mujawamariya said, we “must resist the temptation to revert to or ramp up polluting industries as part of a plan to create jobs.”
Chancellor Merkel reaffirmed her support for the EU ‘s proposal to reduce emissions 50-55% below 1990 levels by 2030, while rebuilding the economy using the European Green Deal.
Japan’s Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi signaled his aim to increase the ambition of the country’s NDC ahead of COP26, after a disappointing submission earlier this month. He also offered to convene leaders to share experiences on ways to recover better and greener. His government’s intent to start a discussion on reforming Japan’s international coal financing through export credits was welcomed, after South Korea’s earlier commitment to end its coal financing.
And G20 finance ministers recently committed to a “strong financial response” to the coronavirus crisis that includes “an environmentally sustainable and inclusive recovery [that is] consistent with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.”
This was an encouraging step, but mobilization and access to finance remains challenging for most developing countries. As UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said at the Petersberg Dialogue: “We cannot allow the heavy and rising debt burden of developing countries to serve as a barrier to their ambition [on the climate].”
What’s Next for Climate Action in 2020?
These are important steps forward, but we need an even greater response. There are a few ways national governments and others can continue the momentum this year and better advance the climate agenda.
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Make the right decision in rebooting economies. As highlighted in the UN Secretary-General’s Earth Day message, countries’ response to the economic crisis should include investment in green jobs and green transition through more resilient infrastructure, including water, energy, transportation, health and sanitation networks. Low-carbon investments in transport and energy can deliver more jobs per dollar spent than fossil fuels; seizing these investments can accelerate the transition.
Countries should avoid bailing out polluting industries unless they commit to becoming carbon-neutral and ending fossil fuel subsidies. Climate risk should be part of any financial and policy decisions, and countries should consider putting a price on carbon. International cooperation will be critical to make all of this happen while leaving no one behind.
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Identify further opportunities to enhance NDCs. Countries should explore ways to prepare more ambitious NDCs and national adaptation processes. Their responses to reflating the economy following the coronavirus health crisis should be mutually reinforcing with climate action goals.
Countries like Chile have already put forward stronger NDCs highlighting job creation opportunities that can boost the country’s economy in a more sustainable way. Other countries should follow its lead.
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More international collaboration in the lead up to COP26. A convening on ways to recover better and greener, as recently suggested by Japan’s environment minister, can provide an important opportunity to foster cooperation and learning between countries. Such convening can build on the multiple dialogues already happening on this issue (many of which WRI is co-hosting).
These conversations could also inform upcoming G7 and G20 meetings.
Climate Week events, which will happen virtually during the UN General Assembly in September, and the next UN climate negotiating session in October provide some clear pressure points and opportunities to make progress on the climate agenda. Countries and civil society can use COP26’s original dates in November, after the U.S. presidential election, as a moment to express clear resolve for fulfilling the promise of the Paris Agreement.
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Maintain accountability. The absence of a COP in 2020 should not diminish public scrutiny. Although countries will not gather at the UN Summit in Glasgow in November, the opportunity remains to honestly examine climate commitments made thus far, raise the alarm, call out the laggards, cheer the true champions, and put pressure on countries to do better.
Countries, especially advanced economies like Japan and New Zealand, will be expected to follow through on their statements about communicating more ambitious NDCs ahead of COP26, which can be supported by economic recovery plans that align with the Paris Agreement. The climate movement will continue to mobilize online and use innovative means to push the agenda forward.
Climate Action in the Time of COVID-19
The coronavirus has shown us the importance of healthy, connected and resilient societies. We cannot achieve these goals over the long-term without collective climate action. Key climate events may be delayed, but the climate emergency is not.
As UN Secretary-General Guterres said at the Petersberg Dialogue, “They say it’s darkest just before the dawn. These are dark days, but they are not days without hope. We have a short and rare opportunity to change our world for the better.”
We must use the experience of COVID-19 as an impetus to speed up our efforts to secure a safe and sustainable future for all. International cooperation and multilateralism will remain more important than ever. It’s time to reinvent and re-energize the way we cooperate and reach decisions, with a renewed sense of solidarity and urgency.
