UNFCCC Agrees: Country Size Equivalent Carbon Footprints Don’t Need Targets

19 October 2015

Well, not quite. But the co-chairs text removes any obligation for international aviation and shipping to set an emissions target. These sectors have CO2 emissions equal to the UK and Germany respectively. Moreover these sectors are set to grow by up to 300% by 2050, which would greatly undermine efforts to limit a temperature increase to 1.5°C. International aviation and shipping shouldnt escape simply because their emissions arent assigned to a country. 

Even worse is how this text also drops any reference to using these sectors as a source of climate finance. Both sectors get their fuel tax-free, and will continue to be major drivers of climate change. The final agreement should require the two UN agencies that regulate these sectorsICAO for aviation and IMO for shippingto set targets and introduce measures compatible with a 1.5°C objective and identify these sectors as potential sources of climate finance.

Countries big and small are coming forward with their targets, so lets not ignore these two huge and growing drivers of climate change.

UNFCCC Agrees: Country Size Equivalent Carbon Footprints Don’t Need Targets

Support CAN

Help us build power in the climate movement by contributing a one-time or recurring donation that will go to supporting our global work as well as various activities and campaigns in communities in different regions.

Donate to CAN

Stay informed

Subscribe to receive monthly updates on the latest on the climate movement including the content from across the network, upcoming climate change events, news articles and opinion pieces on climate, straight to your inbox.

Subscribe to our newsletter