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

submitted 4 weeks ago by 0x815@feddit.org 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@feddit.org 3 points 4 weeks ago (1 children)

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

[–] iii@mander.xyz 1 points 4 weeks 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@feddit.org 3 points 4 weeks 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 2 points 4 weeks 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@feddit.org 1 points 4 weeks ago (1 children)

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

[–] iii@mander.xyz 3 points 4 weeks ago

I note that the first question was disregarded.

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