Colombia Shows Leadership in the Race Against Climate Change
As the world reaches a tipping point of climate change, with irreversible consequences that will further disrupt livelihoods and economies, the next UN climate negotiations —called COP26 — in Glasgow will help reveal how serious global leaders are about solving this crisis.
Colombia’s enhanced national climate plan, or NDC, includes a commitment to address land-based greenhouse gas emissions related to deforestation and agriculture.
Colombia was one of the 71 countries that submitted updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to the Paris Agreement by the 2020 deadline, reinforcing their commitment to urgent climate action. Although Colombia represents only around 0.4% of global emissions, its NDC is one of the most ambitious in the Latin America and
Caribbean region thus far, and is much more closely aligned with the country’s objective of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. While Colombia’s government still needs to clarify some implementation details, the announcement indicates that the country will address land-based greenhouse gas emissions related to deforestation and agriculture, and move forward with a transition to clean energy and transportation.
Colombia’s first NDC submission in 2015 committed to reduce emissions economy-wide by 20% below business-as-usual emissions by 2030, and up to 30% with appropriate international funding support.
The 2015 target is now completely outdone by the new 2020 commitment of a 51% reduction in emissions compared to the projected emissions in 2030. This enhanced NDC not only paves the way for significant climate benefits, but it also will contribute to a more rapid and inclusive economic recovery after the devastation caused by COVID-19.
Source: wri.org
