China’s G(reen)20 was a Breakthrough; Now the Real Work Begins
The G20 Summit in Hangzhou is over but in retrospect it could be called the Green 20 Summit, for the way the leaders of the G20 embraced sustainability, and for the number of initiatives that China launched or participated in. Here are the green highlights of the G20 meeting:
The ‘G2’ Ratify COP21
First, even before the summit began, Xi Jinping and Barack Obama had a meeting in Beijing on September 3rd at which their decision to ratify the COP21 agreement was announced. Hooray!
In order for the compact — which pledges to keep the average global temperature increase well below 2 degrees Celsius by cutting greenhouse gas emissions — to be binding, at least 55 countries covering at least 55% of global emissions need to ratify. Before the announcement 23 countries had ratified but collectively only represented just over 1% of emissions. After the announcement, 25 countries have ratified but China represents 20% of global emissions and the United States is responsible for 17.9%. This now means the two biggest carbon emitters have joined and more than 38% of the quota is reached. This clears the way for other nations to sign on. Thank you to the world’s G2 — China and the United States — for taking this leading step.