Cities consume about 80% of the world’s energy and emit more than 70% of global carbon dioxide emissions, thanks to their unsustainable practices. Every country on every continent is currently affected by climate change. It is endangering lives and undermining national economies, costing individuals, communities, and countries greatly now and in the future. – Climate Action Plan
Climate change has substantial effects on people, including shifting weather patterns, increasing sea levels, and more extreme weather occurrences. Human-caused greenhouse gas emissions are the primary reason behind climate change, and they continue to rise. They’ve reached their highest point in history. Without intervention, the world’s average surface temperature will climb during the twenty-first century, surpassing 3 degrees Celsius this century. Some parts of the globe are expected to warm significantly more. The poorest and most vulnerable people are the ones who are most affected.
What is the Purpose of a Climate Action Plan?
A climate action plan (CAP) is a strategy document that lays out a set of policies and initiatives to minimize greenhouse gas emissions. A CAP specifies GHG reduction goals based on local priorities for decreasing emissions and offers the guiding framework for accomplishing those goals using the GHG emissions inventory as the foundation. A CAP can be used as a stand-alone document or as part of a larger plan, such as a comprehensive or sustainability plan.
Difference Between Climate Action Plan vs Sustainability Plan
A climate action plan (CAP) outlines measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change. On the other hand, sustainability plans are far larger in scope and include environmental, economic, and social issues other than climate change. A CAP’s aims and actions are usually just one part of a larger sustainability strategy; nevertheless, climate mitigation methods frequently have many benefits in other areas of sustainability. Climate mitigation goals and actions can be incorporated into a community’s sustainability plan.
Paris agreement for Climate Action Plans
Thanks to affordable, scalable technologies, countries may now accelerate to cleaner, more resilient economies. As more people turn to green energy and various other steps to cut emissions and improve adaptation efforts, the speed of change is rising.
Climate change, on the other hand, is a global concern that goes beyond national borders. Emissions have an impact on people everywhere. It’s a problem that demands global coordination and international cooperation to help developing countries transition to a low-carbon economy. On December 12, 2015, during the COP21 in Paris, countries adopted the Paris Agreement to combat climate change. Less than a year later, the Agreement went into effect. All countries are committed to working to keep global temperature rise well below 2 degrees Celsius, with a goal of 1.5 degrees Celsius, given the considerable hazards. The Paris Agreement must be implemented to meet the Sustainable Development Goals, and it provides a roadmap for climate action that will reduce emissions and strengthen climate resilience.
Take Proactive Steps to Counter the Damage Done
Administrations and businesses worldwide are taking proactive steps to restore the planet’s natural resources and reduce their carbon emissions. A climate action plan is one such step. Climate change is one of the most alarming problems our world currently faces. It is estimated that the global temperature is set to increase by 1.5 degrees Celsius in the next two decades. Devastating effects will accompany this increase in temperature on the eco-systems worldwide. We as individuals have a big role in countering the effects of climate change. Small steps like carpooling, taking public transport, or opting for eco-friendly packaging can go a long way in ensuring sustainability.