Which Countries Have Met the Paris Climate Agreement?

By Michael Ferguson

The Paris Climate Agreement was adopted by 196 countries in December 2015, with the aim of limiting global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. The agreement also seeks to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase even further, to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

As of October 2021, a total of 191 countries have ratified the agreement, committing to reducing their greenhouse gas emissions and transitioning towards a more sustainable and low-carbon future.

Here is a list of some countries that have made significant progress in meeting their pledges under the Paris Climate Agreement:

Sweden

Sweden has set a goal to become carbon neutral by 2045. In order to achieve this Target, the Swedish government has implemented various policies and initiatives such as investing in renewable energy sources like wind power and solar power.

Sweden has also introduced a carbon tax on fossil fuels which has helped reduce emissions from industries and transportation.

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom has set an ambitious Target of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. To achieve this goal, the UK government has banned new petrol and diesel cars from being sold after 2030, invested heavily in offshore wind farms, and created new policies for energy-efficient homes.

Denmark

Denmark is one of the leading countries in renewable energy technology and has set a goal of becoming entirely independent of fossil fuels by 2050. Denmark generates over half of its electricity from wind power and has plans to phase out coal use completely by 2030.

Bhutan

Bhutan is a small landlocked country located in South Asia that is often hailed as a leader in environmental conservation. In fact, Bhutan is the only country in the world that absorbs more carbon than it emits.

Bhutan has a constitutional requirement that at least 60% of its land must remain forested, and the country has implemented policies to promote sustainable tourism and organic farming.

China

China is the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases, but in recent years, the country has made significant progress in transitioning towards a more sustainable future. China has set a Target of reaching peak emissions by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2060.

To achieve these goals, China has invested heavily in renewable energy sources like solar and wind power and has implemented policies to reduce coal consumption.

Conclusion

While these countries are making significant strides in meeting their pledges under the Paris Climate Agreement, there is still much work to be done to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. It is crucial for all countries to work together towards a more sustainable future, implementing policies and initiatives that will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect our planet for generations to come.