President Vladimir Putin wants Russia’s total net greenhouse gas emissions to be less than the European Union’s over the next 30 years, a goal he described as tough but achievable.
Russia is the world’s fourth largest greenhouse gas emitter. The task instructed is difficult considering the size of the country, its geography, climate and economic structure. However, it is though that the goal given is likely achievable, considering scientific and technological potential.
Russia’s greenhouse gas emissions are around half of the total of the 27 EU countries, which combined have more than three times the population.
The EU has announced aggressive targets to reduce its emissions over the next three decades, aiming to achieve complete carbon neutrality by 2050. Russia’s targets so far have been more modest.
U.S. policymakers want to reduce energy-related emissions faster to achieve the Biden administration’s stated objective of net zero till 2050 and much more profound changes than have occurred so far in the energy system.
Before the coronavirus pandemic, annual energy-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in the United States had already fallen 14% from their peak in 2007.
But most of the reduction had come from the replacement of coal by gas. A lesser part sourced by the wind and solar energy and there had been few meaningful reductions in other parts of the energy system.
Energy-related emissions amounted to 5.14 billion tonnes of CO2 in 2019, down from 6.00 billion in 2007, according to data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Emissions declined at a compound annual rate of 1.3% between 2007 and 2019.
CO2 emitted from coal combustion fell by 1.1 billion tonnes, accounting for almost the entire reduction in energy-related emissions.
There were only small reductions attributable to heavy fuel oil, gasoline, diesel and petroleum coke, while emissions from both gas and jet fuel actually increased.
Faster and deeper reductions in energy-related emissions are possible over the next two decades, but they would require profound structural changes in the whole energy system, not just an extension of existing trends.
Some airway owners want to support the net zero target with sustainable aviation fuel by 2030, seeking to make progress towards longer term goal of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
One million tonnes of sustainable jet fuel will be the equivalent of removing one million cars from Europe’s roads each year.
The sustainable fuel generally produces up to 70% less carbon than fossil fuels, offering airlines a way to become greener while continuing to fly, before less carbon-intensive hybrid, electric or hydrogen aeroplane options become available from the late 2030s.
Japan on Thursday raised its target for cutting carbon emissions to 46% by 2030, responding to pressure from the United States and domestic companies and environmentalists who criticised its previous goal of 26%.
