The push to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius is in jeopardy unless world leaders take significant actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the near term. U.S. Special Envoy for Climate, John Kerry, emphasized this during a conversation with Harvard President Larry Bacow. Kerry mentioned that efforts are underway to work with countries to meet the emission reduction targets set by the International Energy Agency (IEA) and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). These targets aim for a 43 to 45 percent reduction in emissions by 2030. Kerry expressed concern that without such actions, the world is on track to surpass the 1.5-degree target and potentially reach 2.5 or even 3 degrees of temperature rise. This situation is a cause for deep agitation and concern.
Bacow asked Kerry about volatility in global energy prices and whether a shift to carbon-neutral sources might assist energy security, which many countries cite as a drag on the shift to renewables. Kerry described most energy-security arguments as based in fear rather than facts. He pointed out that Germany has pulled off a robust transition to renewables, which make up 50 percent of the nation’s power supply, with plans to reach 80 percent. However, he recognized that completely and abruptly rejecting fossil fuels is not a feasible solution. As an alternative, he advocated for an approach that includes natural gas as a transition fuel. While natural gas still has environmental impacts, it produces 30 to 50 percent lower emissions compared to oil or coal.
Talking about the global emissions goals set for 2030, Kerry stated that achieving those targets is crucial for staying on track to achieve zero net emissions by the midcentury. He highlighted that the primary responsibility for addressing the issue lies with the 20 nations that contribute 76 percent of the greenhouse gas emissions. Among these nations, ten are developed countries, such as the United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom. To put things into perspective, the 48 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa collectively contribute only 0.55 percent of the global greenhouse gas emissions.
While many developing nations have outlined ambitious emission reduction targets, there are 10 developing countries with large economies, such as China, Russia, Brazil, and India, whose plans are not aligning adequately with the current climate reality. Despite potential challenges and fragile relations with China, John Kerry believes that there might still be opportunities for negotiation on climate change.
When questioned about Washington's leadership on addressing climate change, John Kerry highlights that even during the Trump administration, which was not supportive of climate action, a significant portion of new electricity generation in the United States, ranging from 75 to 80 percent, came from renewable sources. Kerry emphasizes that today, actions by automakers, technology companies, and other corporate leaders are driving progress in renewable energy, irrespective of the political administration in power.
Source: The Harvard Gazette