From the introduction of electric vehicles to trading recyclable items and banning plastic, each nation has initiated its own strategies to reduce carbon emissions. We are quite far from achieving our goals of climate sustainability as climate change continues to be a real threat to each one of us.
Climate change involves various realms including science, social, economic and ethical ones. That being said, as a collective we have a lot to lose and a lot to consider.
There is an urgent need for us to act together in order to avoid facing the worst consequences of climate change and endangering millions of lives. There is a lot we can still do and we must do as individuals to change the current scenario. Despite repeated attempts at raising awareness, the same actions continue and more emissions are on a relentless rise.
Here is a look at what some countries have been doing to curb their greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to a better world. Check How is the World Responding to Climate Change?
China
China is determined to combat climate change and make decisions to tackle environmental challenges. Being the world’s number one investor in renewable energy namely, solar, wind and hydroelectric, China’s aim was to spend $360 billion on renewable energy by the end of 2020.
The President of China has also pledged to increase the usage of wind and solar energy by 2030.
Denmark
Did you know that Copenhagen is hailed as “Europe’s Green Capital’? It also aims to be the world’s first carbon-neutral city by the end of 2025. One of its policies includes having all buses electric by 2019.
To top it up, the capital initiated a programme to plant 1,00,000 trees in the next three years.
Finland
In terms of taxes, this country is the first to impose a carbon tax in place which is a great strategy to discourage people from using their motor vehicles excessively.
The leaders of Finland have of late strengthened their dedication towards going green by shifting wood-based materials for all of its construction and textile requirements.
India
It is not a hidden fact that India is a massively populated country and to say that the impact of climate change on India could be devastating would not be wrong. Indians are looking at food insecurity, income losses, loss of livelihood and adverse health impacts.
India like China has set a target of increasing its use of solar power and wind power and making it 40% of the total energy source by 2030.
Luxembourg
The most recent initiative on climate change was assigning 30.5 million euros towards adopting and increasing the number of charging stations in the country in order to encourage and support the easy transition from motor vehicles to electric vehicles.
Indonesia
Being home to the 16th largest economy in the world, Indonesia is the fifth-largest emitter of greenhouse gasses.
Indonesia has thus decided to cut its emissions by around 30% by 2030. It also aims at maintaining 31 million acres of land for social forestry to allow farmers to use such designated plots for at least a good 35 years and hence include ecosystem restoration as a part of its national development plan.
Mexico
To its credit, in 2012, Mexico was one of the first developing countries to pass a climate change law which prescribed that the goal for Mexico would be to reduce its emissions by 50% by the year 2050.
In the context of deforestation, it is aiming at cutting the rates to 0 by 2030 and along with that, to have 40% of its energy coming from low-emission energy sources.
South Africa
With what is called their 2030 energy plan, South Africa aims to reduce its power that is generated with coal to less than 50% and thus replacing it with renewable energy.
On one hand, where the country is taking initiatives to combat climate change, on the other hand, top companies are concerned with the growing carbon tax that is resulting in severe losses in their operations.
United States of America
In 2017, the USA withdrew its name from the Paris Agreement which is a treaty for the world to combat global warming effectively.
Despite criticisms for that, one-fourth of the country includes protected reserves to which the public has no access and these areas include wildlife sanctuaries, national parks and areas used for sustainable purposes. On a more positive note, around 3.3% of the population is threatened by unsafe and high levels of air pollution.
Canada
Canada is the second-largest country on the globe in terms of landmass, and its environmental achievements are quite a few.
Advocating climate-friendly technology, introducing sustainable urban transportation, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and significantly taking interest in adequate biodiversity planning, Canada is sure to do its bit in protecting its ecosystem.
Conclusion
As per reports, at least 51% of the population around the globe is being impacted by vast changes owing to climate change. Many have realized that at this point, merely framing policies and legislation will not be the answer to combating climate change.
What is required is a significant change in the way each and every one of us take action towards living a more sustainable life and for countries and nations to restructure their sectors around using more renewable and less-emission energy sources.
With the advancement in technology, developed countries already have the added advantage to use to introduce strategies that would eliminate the use of high carbon emissions.
Developing countries would require added support from the big nations to educate them, and help them whether financially, resource-wise or even technology-wise. We all have to work together in this and cannot afford to have regional or nation-wise differences.
