cross-posted from: https://feddit.org/post/4928706

Archived link

While developed countries have used the majority of this budget, the analysis shows that China’s historical emissions reached 312GtCO2 in 2023, overtaking the EU’s 303GtCO2.

China is still far behind the 532GtCO2 emitted by the US, however, according to the analysis.

The findings by Carbonbrief come amid fraught negotiations at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, where negotiators have been invoking the “principle of historical responsibility” in their discussions over who should pay money towards a new goal for climate finance – and how much.

[…]

Historical CO2 emissions matter for climate change, because there is a finite “carbon budget” that can be released into the atmosphere before a given level of global warming is breached.

For example, in order to limit warming to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels, only around 2,800GtCO2 can be added to the atmosphere, counting all emissions since the pre-industrial period. (This is according to a 2023 study updating figures from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.)

Cumulative emissions since 1850 will reach 2,607CO2 by the end of 2024, according to Carbon Brief’s new analysis, meaning that some 94% of the 1.5C budget will have been used up.

[…]

    • 0x815@feddit.orgOP
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      0
      ·
      1 month ago

      This is not a blame game. Humanity is failing as a whole as the climate doesn’t know borders or politics as we know. It is important that we track numbers, though. As the report says:

      Historical CO2 emissions matter for climate change, because there is a finite “carbon budget” that can be released into the atmosphere before a given level of global warming is breached.

      For example, in order to limit warming to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels, only around 2,800GtCO2 can be added to the atmosphere, counting all emissions since the pre-industrial period […] Cumulative emissions since 1850 will reach 2,607CO2 by the end of 2024, according to Carbon Brief’s new analysis, meaning that some 94% of the 1.5C budget will have been used up.

      We are all doing too little (and too late?). Climate change has already been affecting all countries across all continents for some time. What we needed imo is more global collaboration, but it doesn’t seem to happen.

      • iii@mander.xyz
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        0
        ·
        1 month ago

        It’s important to measure emissions.

        But assigning blame isn’t usefull towards reducing emissions. I only see it as a usefull distraction for those preferring non-action.

        • 0x815@feddit.orgOP
          link
          fedilink
          English
          arrow-up
          0
          ·
          1 month ago

          Again, this is not about assigning blame. This is just a simple fact.

          • iii@mander.xyz
            link
            fedilink
            English
            arrow-up
            0
            ·
            1 month ago

            Isn’t the whole idea of a finite carbon budget per country to assign blame?

            It’s the total emissions that matter. Even if it’s only latvia emitting.

            • 0x815@feddit.orgOP
              link
              fedilink
              English
              arrow-up
              0
              ·
              1 month ago

              The only way to measure it is where it is produced. This is what this and other reports are doing. Governments could reduce their emissions, especially in countries where they are high. It’s not the case, though.

              • iii@mander.xyz
                link
                fedilink
                English
                arrow-up
                0
                ·
                1 month ago

                The only way to measure it is where it is produced.

                How so? Airborn particles can be measured regardless of origin. Even satellite estimates are quite accurate.

                Governments could reduce their emissions, especially in countries where they are high.

                Again, placing blame.

                • 0x815@feddit.orgOP
                  link
                  fedilink
                  English
                  arrow-up
                  0
                  ·
                  1 month ago

                  Governments could enforce laws to reduce their emissions, but they don’t.

      • LukeZaz@beehaw.org
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        0
        ·
        edit-2
        1 month ago

        This is not a blame game.

        I would find this more believable were it not for the fact that a huge amount of your posts are about China. From my perspective, your motive for posting this looks less like “Climate Change is a serious issue, and many countries – including China – are not fixing it” and more “I hate China, so here’s another article shitting on them.”

  • IrritableOcelot@beehaw.org
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    0
    ·
    1 month ago

    I mean…duh. When Europe and the US outsource so much of their heavy manufacturing to China, that’s effectively offloading a colossal amount of their emissions. Since China has few energy resources other than coal, it amplifies the issue.

  • 0x815@feddit.orgOP
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    0
    ·
    1 month ago

    In addition to that from another source, the Climate Action Tracker for China:

    Policies and action against fair share: Insufficient

    NDC (nationally determined contributions ) target against modelled domestic pathways: Highly insufficient

    NDC target against fair share: Insufficient

    Net Zero Target = Year 2060: Comprehensiveness rated as Poor

    Overall rating: Highly insufficient