‘But we’re just 1% of emissions’: do smaller countries’ climate efforts matter?
Summary
Several world leaders have argued that their countries contribute only a small share of global emissions, often less than 1%, to justify delaying stronger climate action. However, experts say that historical emissions and per-person contributions matter more for climate change, and that every reduction in emissions helps prevent future warming.Key Facts
- The UK, Germany, Australia, and Italy each contribute around 1-2% of global carbon emissions.
- The US, China, and India together contribute just over half of global emissions.
- Small-emitting countries make up about 32% of global emissions when combined.
- Climate scientists emphasize that past emissions and money available for cutting pollution are important factors.
- Recent research showed 200 instances where countries with less than 2% of emissions used this fact in media to argue against stronger climate policies.
- Leaders from major European economies have used the "small share" argument to support weaker climate action.
- Every tonne of carbon dioxide reduced helps lessen future global warming and extreme weather.
- Climate experts say the argument that small emitters' efforts do not matter is misleading and delays necessary action.
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