Statement of Nathaniel Keohane
President, Center for Climate and Energy Solutions
November 19, 2022
On the conclusion of COP27 in Sharm El-Sheikh:
“In the big picture, the priorities for global climate action remain the same coming out of COP27 as they were going in: Countries must do more to meet the targets they have set. Once they do, and see other countries doing the same, they will have the confidence and the competence to make a new round of more ambitious commitments. That ratcheting up of ambition is the vital engine of the Paris Agreement and must be the focus going forward.
“One of the most important developments of the past two weeks didn’t happen at COP27, but rather at the G20 meeting in Bali, where Presidents Biden and Xi agreed to resume formal climate talks between the world’s two largest emitters. With the United States and China together accounting for two-fifths of climate pollution, any sign of thawing between them is good news for a rapidly warming planet.
“Coming out of the COP, the immediate priority for the White House must be to speed the implementation of the climate and clean energy provisions in the bipartisan infrastructure bill and Inflation Reduction Act. Meeting the U.S. target of cutting emissions 50 to 52 percent below 2005 levels by 2030 will take concerted effort across the whole of government, along with actions by states and businesses around the country.
“Meanwhile, in a newly divided Congress, climate could be a surprising area of bipartisan progress. Ramping up clean energy technology R&D, boosting the competitiveness of U.S. industries, and advancing nature-based solutions all offer potential for cooperation that can help America thrive in the global low-carbon economy. The question facing the new Republican majority in the House of Representatives will be whether and how they choose to contribute.”
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To reach a C2ES expert, contact Alec Gerlach at press@c2es.org.
About C2ES: The Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES) works to secure a safe and stable climate, by accelerating the global transition to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions and a thriving, just, and resilient economy. Learn more at www.c2es.org.
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