Articles tagged with "Paris-Agreement"
Quitting & Rejoining Global Climate Agreements: What’s at Stake for the United States - CleanTechnica
The article from CleanTechnica discusses the implications of the United States’ withdrawal from the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) under the Trump administration. This withdrawal, which takes effect one year after formal notification, isolates the U.S. as the only country to completely exit these global climate efforts. While the U.S. can still observe international climate discussions, its influence will be significantly diminished, complicating global climate negotiations and progress. The administration’s stance positions the U.S. as a global outlier amid widespread international commitment to climate action. Importantly, the article emphasizes that a future U.S. administration can rejoin both the Paris Agreement and the UNFCCC. Legal experts confirm that reentry does not require a new Senate approval if the previous consent remains valid, allowing a future president to restore U.S. participation relatively quickly—potentially within 90 days. The article highlights the moral and economic stakes of rejoining, noting that maintaining a seat at
energyclimate-changeParis-AgreementUNFCCCclean-energyinternational-climate-policyenvironmental-policyUS To World: We Don't Need No Stinking UNFCCC! - CleanTechnica
The article from CleanTechnica criticizes the U.S. government's recent decision to withdraw from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and other international climate and clean energy organizations. It portrays the U.S. administration as dismissive of global climate efforts, emphasizing a stance that prioritizes unfettered fossil fuel use and rejects the scientific consensus on climate change impacts such as droughts, wildfires, and rising sea levels. The White House justifies these withdrawals by claiming that many international bodies promote policies that undermine U.S. sovereignty and economic interests, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio framing these organizations as vehicles for progressive ideology that conflict with national priorities. The UNFCCC, established in 1992, aims to facilitate sustainable economic development while addressing climate change and protecting food production. The U.S. is now the only country to reject participation, signaling a significant retreat from cooperative global climate action. Despite the harsh critique, some former officials like George David Banks, who advised the Trump
energyclimate-changeUNFCCCParis-Agreementclean-energysustainabilityinternational-policyAssessing Global Progress 10 Years After Paris Climate Accords - CleanTechnica
The article reviews global progress a decade after the 2015 Paris Climate Accords, where 195 nations voluntarily agreed to limit global warming to well below 2°C, ideally 1.5°C, above pre-industrial levels. Despite this landmark agreement, several challenges have hindered full success: major emitters like China increased coal use, the U.S. withdrew twice, and promised financial aid from wealthy countries to poorer nations often fell short. Additionally, some U.S. states have legally challenged financial institutions over environmental policies, and efforts to establish sustainable investment frameworks faced setbacks with changing political administrations. On the positive side, key figures involved in the accords highlight significant achievements. Renewable energy capacity surged by 15% last year, accounting for over 90% of new power generation, with investments in clean energy doubling those in fossil fuels. Electric vehicles now represent about 20% of new car sales globally, and low-carbon power constitutes more than half of China’s and India’s generation capacity, with
energyrenewable-energyclimate-changeParis-Agreementclean-energyelectric-vehiclessustainable-investmentsChina Is Changing The Global Balance Of Political Power With Renewables - CleanTechnica
The article discusses the evolving global political and economic landscape shaped by the rise of renewable energy, with a particular focus on China’s growing influence. It reflects on the 2015 Paris Agreement, which marked a hopeful moment when wealthy nations pledged to help poorer countries reduce greenhouse gas emissions through investments in clean energy. Despite significant investments—over a trillion dollars in clean energy and low-carbon technologies in the past decade—progress has been uneven. Many poorer nations are frustrated by the lack of promised funding, while wealthy countries have backtracked on commitments due to geopolitical tensions, the COVID-19 pandemic, and resistance from the fossil fuel industry. Consequently, global temperature rise is still projected to be between 2.5 to 2.9 degrees Celsius by century’s end, leading to severe climate impacts. A key takeaway is the shifting dynamic in renewable energy leadership. While the global north struggles with commitment and implementation, many fast-growing economies in the global south—such as Brazil, India, Vietnam, Ethiopia, Nepal
energyrenewable-energyclimate-changecarbon-emissionsclean-technologyglobal-warmingParis-Agreement$10 Trillion Invested In Clean Tech Since Paris Agreements - CleanTechnica
Since the Paris climate agreements, global investment in clean technologies has reached $10.3 trillion, with annual energy transition investments surpassing $2 trillion in 2024—more than double the amount in 2020, according to BloombergNEF. This surge in funding has driven significant advances in renewable energy, particularly solar and wind, which are beginning to meet accelerating electricity demand. Analysis suggests that emissions from the energy sector, the largest contributor to global warming, may have peaked last year and could already be in decline. Road transport emissions are also projected to peak by 2029, aided by the expected rise of electrified vehicle sales to 25% worldwide. China, responsible for nearly a third of global emissions, may see a reduction in emissions growth this year, signaling a potential turning point. Despite these positive trends, the latest UNEP report indicates that current national commitments and policies still project global warming of 2.3-2.5°C this century, an improvement from previous estimates but
energyclean-technologyrenewable-energyclimate-changeParis-Agreementenergy-transitionemissions-reductionUS Climate Groups Ready To Battle Trump Policies At UN Climate Summit COP30 - CleanTechnica
The article discusses the absence of official U.S. government representation at the upcoming COP30 climate summit in Belém, Brazil, due to the Trump administration’s withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, which will not be official until 2026. This lack of presence from the U.S., described by EU Climate Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra as dampening the summit’s mood, reflects the administration’s longstanding skepticism toward climate science and policies. Despite this, U.S. climate advocacy groups, coalitions, and local leaders remain committed to advancing climate goals, aiming to fill the void left by federal disengagement. They emphasize continuing efforts toward net-zero emissions and sustainable finance, positioning themselves as proactive leaders in the global climate movement. A coalition of over 100 local U.S. leaders, including governors and mayors affiliated with groups such as America Is All In, Climate Mayors, and the U.S. Climate Alliance, plans to attend COP30. These leaders intend to demonstrate that the Trump administration does not
energyclimate-changeCOP30Paris-Agreementsustainable-financerenewable-energyclimate-policyParis Climate Protocols Have Limited Global Heating To "Just" 2.6 Degrees C - CleanTechnica
Research highlighted by CleanTechnica and World Weather Attribution indicates that the Paris Agreement, established in 2015, has had a measurable but limited effect in curbing global warming. Without the accord, global temperatures were projected to rise by about 4º C this century; with it, the increase is now estimated at approximately 2.6º C, assuming full implementation of current emissions reduction pledges. The agreement’s framework, based on Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) where countries set their own emission targets, has led to some reductions, but many nations are not on track to meet even these pledges. The report underscores a significant gap remains between current commitments and the emissions cuts needed to limit warming to the Paris goal of 1.5º C. Despite progress, a 2.6º C rise still poses serious risks, including a dramatic increase in extreme heat events. Since 2015, the world has experienced an average of 11 additional super-hot days per
energyclimate-changeglobal-warmingemissions-reductionParis-Agreementenvironmental-policysustainabilityMust Climate Action Take Second Place To Fighting For Democracy? - CleanTechnica
The article from CleanTechnica discusses the tension between prioritizing climate action and defending democracy, particularly in the context of the Trump administration's authoritarian tendencies in the US. While some public figures, like former Labor Secretary Robert Reich, argue that democracy must be secured before effective climate action can occur, the article contends that fighting for climate justice is inherently a fight for democracy itself. It highlights how democratic institutions have been compromised by corporate interests, especially the fossil fuel industry, which undermines both environmental progress and democratic integrity. The Trump administration’s policies are criticized for exacerbating climate change, weakening environmental regulations, and alienating international allies committed to the Paris Agreement. The article emphasizes that despite the fragility of democratic structures, urgent and significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions are necessary to meet climate goals. It challenges the notion that climate action must wait for political shifts, advocating instead for immediate grassroots and social movement efforts to counteract misinformation and corporate influence. Democracy, when functioning properly, empowers citizens to collectively address climate
energyrenewable-energyclimate-actiongreenhouse-gas-emissionsfossil-fuelsParis-Agreementenvironmental-policyCountries Obliged to Include Aviation Contrails in Climate Plans under Paris Agreement, New Legal Advice Shows - CleanTechnica
A recent legal analysis commissioned by environmental groups Transport & Environment (T&E) and Opportunity Green concludes that countries are legally obligated under the Paris Agreement to include non-CO2 emissions from aviation—such as contrails—in their national climate plans (Nationally Determined Contributions, NDCs). These non-CO2 emissions are estimated to account for at least half of aviation’s climate impact and have a significant warming effect comparable to CO2 emissions. The analysis highlights that excluding these emissions means countries are failing to meet their commitments to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, as stipulated by the Paris Agreement. The legal advice rests on three main arguments: the temperature-based targets of the Paris Agreement require addressing all warming contributors; the agreement mandates simultaneous reductions in CO2 and non-CO2 greenhouse gases; and the precautionary principle calls for action based on the best available scientific knowledge, even amid uncertainties. Aviation’s non-CO2 emissions, particularly contrails, have been
energyclimate-changeaviation-emissionsParis-Agreementgreenhouse-gasesenvironmental-policynon-CO2-emissionsClimate Action — Are Democracies Better Than Autocracies? - CleanTechnica
The article from CleanTechnica examines the complex relationship between political systems—democracies versus autocracies—and their effectiveness in addressing climate change. It highlights that most of the world's largest carbon emitters are state-owned fossil fuel companies operating within autocratic regimes, which rely heavily on fossil fuel revenues to sustain their power. For example, Russia, a leading emitter, has shown little incentive to reduce methane leaks despite the environmental and economic benefits, driven by political priorities rather than climate concerns. This reliance on fossil fuels makes it politically and economically challenging for autocratic governments to commit to meaningful climate action, as doing so could threaten their regimes. While democracies face their own challenges, such as entrenched interest groups slowing progress, some experts argue they may be better positioned to negotiate and implement climate policies. The article references views from climate negotiators and scholars, including Todd Stern and Francis Fukuyama, who suggest that authoritarian states theoretically have the power to enforce rapid climate action due to centralized control but often lack
energyclimate-changefossil-fuelscarbon-emissionsmethane-leaksstate-owned-companiesParis-AgreementClimeFi Structures First ITMO CDR Transfer Between Switzerland & Norway - CleanTechnica
The article reports the first-ever cross-border transfer of Internationally Transferred Mitigation Outcomes (ITMOs) under Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement, marking a significant milestone in the durable carbon removal (CDR) market. This transaction involves the transfer of verified CDR credits generated from biomass-based carbon removal with permanent geological storage in Norway to a coalition of Swiss corporate buyers. The deal was coordinated by ClimeFi and formalized during a signing ceremony in Norway on June 17, 2025. Unlike traditional carbon offsets, this transfer operates within a government-recognized bilateral framework, ensuring enhanced credibility, transparency, and international accountability. Swiss Environment Minister Albert Rösti emphasized the importance of CO2 storage technology in Switzerland’s path to net-zero emissions, highlighting the agreement’s role in fostering innovation and strengthening bilateral ties. ClimeFi’s CEO Paolo Piffaretti noted the initiative as a pioneering example of public-private partnership, demonstrating how sovereign oversight, commercial structuring, and private
energycarbon-removalclimate-changeParis-Agreementcarbon-storagesustainabilitydecarbonization