The U.S. and China have provided some encouraging news in international efforts to curb carbon emissions in an effort to mitigate the worst effects of climate change. According to a fact sheet released by the White House yesterday, President Obama committed the U.S. to reducing net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 26-28% by 2025 over 2005 levels. In addition, President Xi announced for the first time China's intention to peak its overall CO2 emissions, by around 2030 or earlier. China is also committed to meeting 20% of its energy needs through renewable energy sources by 2030, according to the same fact sheet.
The U.S. goal also commits the U.S. to a total carbon pollution reduction target, not just a reduction in emissions from electricity generation.
When combined with the EU's target to reduce emissions by 40% by 2030, the goals of the U.S., China, and EU (whose combined emissions account for over 50% of all GHG emissions globally) taken collectively are widely viewed as a serious first step toward a low-carbon future.
Early reactions to the announcement among environmentalists have been positive. David Victor is quoted on the NY Times dot Earth blog as saying
This is exactly what is needed — credible pledges by groups of important countries that are rooted in a vision of the effort they will make together. If each country only does what makes sense from its individual interest then the outcome from international diplomacy isn’t much more than status quo. Serious cuts in emissions (and all the things that allow that — like a big rise in R and D) require collective action. And you get started on the complex and difficult task of collective action by starting in small groups that are focused on real actions.
This will be criticized as inadequate, and for the long haul it is. But what matters more is that it is credible and this is now the high water mark for serious Chinese pledges and engagement in the international process since China is probably the most pivotal player.
Whether the announced targets are significant enough to meet the globally agreed goal to limit warming to 2ºC by 2100 remains to be seen. But it's encouraging to see the world's two biggest emitters committing to serious action together.