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China’s carbon emissions have now caused more global warming than EU, report says (www.carbonbrief.org)

submitted 1 month ago by 0x815 to c/environment@beehaw.org

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

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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.

[...]

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[–] 0x815 1 points 1 month ago (2 children)

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 1 points 1 month ago (1 children)

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 1 points 1 month ago (1 children)

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

[–] iii@mander.xyz 1 points 1 month ago (1 children)

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 1 points 1 month ago (1 children)

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 0 points 1 month ago (1 children)

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 1 points 1 month ago (1 children)

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

[–] iii@mander.xyz 1 points 1 month ago

I note that the first question was disregarded.

Goverments could enact laws that make teleportation mandatory. They don't.

[–] LukeZaz@beehaw.org 1 points 1 month ago* (last edited 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."