The global pursuit of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions has become an imperative response to the escalating challenges posed by climate change. The third edition of the Climate Action Monitor, a pivotal deliverable of the Net Zero+ International Programme for Action on Climate (IPAC), plays a crucial role in providing foundational data and metrics to assess countries’ progress toward achieving net-zero goals and fulfilling commitments outlined in the Paris Agreement.
Climate action faced a significant slowdown in 2022, coinciding with a rise in severe weather events. The collective national climate policy efforts of countries responsible for nearly two-thirds of global greenhouse gas emissions only saw a marginal 1% increase in 2022.
This marks the lowest annual growth since 2000 and signals a deceleration in the pursuit of the temperature goals outlined in the Paris Agreement. The diminished progress is attributed to escalating concerns over energy security.
The Climate Action Monitor 2023 indicates significant disparities in climate action among countries, with those implementing more rigorous policies experiencing accelerated growth in climate mitigation efforts.
Source: OECD (2023) “Climate Actions and Policies Measurement Framework”
Additionally, the report highlights a deceleration in the adoption of market-based policy instruments, but a notable uptick in initiatives related to governance, international cooperation, targets, and climate data.
In contrast, the period between 2000 and 2021 witnessed an average annual growth of 10% in national climate policy action, as revealed by recent OECD analysis covering 50 countries under the Climate Action and Policies Measurement Framework.
OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann said:
“We cannot manage what we don’t measure. The International Programme for Action on Climate provides comparable and harmonised information to monitor national climate action and global net-zero trajectories”
“This year’s Climate Action Monitor shows current greenhouse gas emission targets are well below the reductions necessary to achieve the 1.5°C temperature goal. More is needed to translate ambition into real actions and real outcomes by ensuring the effective implementation of national policies – and there is no time to waste.”
OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann said.
This essay delves into the significance of the Climate Action Monitor and the broader implications of the IPAC initiative in shaping effective climate policy and fostering a resilient transition to a net-zero future.
Foundations of the Net Zero+ International Programme
IPAC serves as a cornerstone for various climate initiatives within the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), including the Inclusive Forum on Carbon Mitigation Approaches.
The initiative covers an extensive range of countries, encompassing all OECD nations, OECD partner countries, prospective members, and other G20 nations. This inclusive framework reflects a collaborative and comprehensive approach to addressing the global challenge of achieving net-zero emissions.
The report, now encompassing 51 countries with the inclusion of the United States for other indicators, underscores a noteworthy surge in the population exposed to extreme temperatures in 2022, escalating from 24% in 1979 to 46%.
This trend contributes to exacerbating agricultural droughts in a majority of OECD and partner nations, marked by an average 2.4% decline in soil moisture. Additionally, there has been a 48% increase in the exposure of built-up areas to coastal flooding over the last two decades.
Meeting the 1.5°C Paris Agreement temperature target necessitates OECD and OECD partner countries to commit to an additional collective emission reduction of approximately 30% beyond their current nationally determined contribution targets, equating to at least 9,315 MT CO2e, by 2030.
Despite 104 countries and the European Union adopting or proposing net-zero targets, only 26 countries and the EU (27 in total), representing 16% of global emissions, have legally embedded these targets into their laws.
Key Insights from the Climate Action Monitor
The Climate Action Monitor, being a product of IPAC, provides crucial insights into the progress of countries toward their net-zero goals.
The report highlights the evolving landscape of climate policy, emphasizing the importance of identifying and understanding the full impact of trends and events for an accurate assessment of mitigation outcomes.
Notably, the report underlines the challenges posed by extreme weather events and a rising population exposed to extreme temperatures, indicating the urgency of effective climate action.
Climate Actions and Policies Measurement Framework (CAPMF)
The Climate Actions and Policies Measurement Framework (CAPMF) stands as a recently developed database by the OECD, designed to monitor national climate action from 1990 onward. This comprehensive framework encompasses 56 essential climate policies, featuring 130 variables and boasting over 300 thousand data points.
It represents the most extensive dataset on national climate action available to date, gauging climate action through a composite assessment of policy adoption and stringency.
The coverage extends to all OECD and OECD partner countries, excluding the United States, and encompasses nearly two-thirds of the total greenhouse gas emissions globally.
Addressing Challenges and Opportunities
Advancing toward the net-zero challenge requires more than just setting ambitious mitigation targets. The IPAC initiative recognizes the need to navigate the complex policy landscape, addressing barriers and seizing opportunities to ensure a resilient transition.
It acknowledges key challenges, including skills shortages, the supply of critical minerals, and potential bottlenecks, emphasizing the importance of a holistic and adaptive approach to climate policy.
Countries Enshrining Net-Zero Targets
A critical aspect of the IPAC initiative is the identification of countries that have formally incorporated net-zero targets into their legislation. This list includes a diverse range of nations, such as Australia, Canada, Chile, Denmark, France, Germany, Japan, and the United Kingdom, underscoring the global commitment to transformative climate action.
The International Programme for Action on Climate (IPAC), exemplified through the Climate Action Monitor and associated initiatives, stands as a pivotal force in guiding countries toward achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions.
By providing essential data, addressing challenges, and fostering collaboration, IPAC plays a crucial role in shaping effective climate policies and ensuring a resilient transition to a sustainable and low-carbon future.
As the world grapples with the urgent need for climate action, the insights and initiatives derived from IPAC offer a pathway toward a more sustainable and climate-resilient global community.
To learn more about Net Zero+ and the International Programme for Action on Climate, follow our events live during COP28:
Climate change data and indicators: Challenges and opportunities (4 December)
Correcting course to 1.5°C: Positive tipping points in the transition to net zero (7 December)
Find more sessions at the OECD COP 28 Virtual Pavilon
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