The UN Climate Action Summit 2019

CWA # 169
The UN Climate Action Summit 2019
Climate Change: Four Actors, No Action

Lakshman Chakravarthy N & Rashmi Ramesh
7 October 2019
Photo Source:

The 2019 summit could not bring the four set of actors – zealots, bystanders, enhancers and Non-State together. Their differences undermine a concerted action on climate change  
 

The 2019 summit could not bring the four set of actors – zealots, bystanders, enhancers and Non-State together. Their differences undermine a concerted action on climate change  
 

The United Nations Climate Change Summit 2019 was aimed at nudging the nation-states to redefine their climate targets to meet the global 1.5 degrees target opted as part of the 2015 Paris Agreement. The call for the Summit advocated participant nations to enhance their nationally determined contributions (NDCs) by 2020 and ideally achieving net zero emissions by 2050. Several countries resolved to take stringent measures, while few of them were subtle in their approach and actions. Additionally, some non-state actors pledged to contribute more to the cause. 
This commentary makes an effort to profile the categories that the participants of the Summit fall into, based on their determination to combat the ill effects of climate change and also focus on the initiatives of the non-state actors. 

The Zealots
The Nordic countries (Iceland, Finland, Sweden, Norway, and Denmark) and the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) pledged to act more stringently to achieve the targets set by the Paris Agreement. The former, together have stated that their efforts would focus on making the Nordics, the first industrialized carbon-neutral region by the year 2030. This also implies that the region would become the most sustainable one in the world. 
Finland along with Chile has initiated the “Coalition of Finance Ministers for Climate Action”, aiming to use the financial instruments such as budget, procurement, investment and taxation in achieving carbon-neutrality. Sweden has announced a joint venture with India to ensure a faster transformation of heavy industries from fossil-fuel driven to fossil-free units of production. Iceland’s Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir announced her government’s decision to double the contribution it makes to the Green Climate Fund. GCF is an initiative to assist the developing nations to combat the ill effects of climate change. 
Small island countries stand as the most affected countries of the adverse consequences of climate change. Added to this misery is the fact that they are not responsible for accelerating global warming, yet come in the frontline of facing climate-related natural disasters. The Bahamas were recently hit by the deadly hurricane Dorian. Recognizing the impending danger, these island countries have pledged to stand as examples for the world to follow. The Prime Ministers of Jamaica and Norway convened a meeting on the sidelines of the Climate Action Summit and called for the replenishment of the GCF. 
Alongside the Nordic and Small Island Nations, key European powers of France, Germany and the UK promised to lead the way with stringent policies beyond the Paris Deal commitments. France decided not to draft trade deals with nations whose policies go against the Paris Agreement. Germany announced its carbon neutrality deadline as 2050. The United Kingdom followed Iceland in promising to double its overall international climate finance contribution. Multiple European countries decided to chart out an action committee to phase out coal usage in the next decade.   
Climate change affects all countries but the intensity of that effect determines the actions undertaken by them. The intensity with which the consequences of climate change hit the small island states and the Nordics and European nations pushes them to be the zealots who rigorously strive for a sustainable planet. 

The Bystanders
On 1st June 2017, Washington announced its withdrawal from the Paris Agreement. Its stance on not recognizing the issue stands firms and was reflected in the Climate Action Summit as well. Though President Trump made a brief appearance at the Summit, no word came from the United States. 
Saudi Arabia also followed suit and was not allowed to speak due to the importance it attaches to its fossil-fuel driven economic policies. As one of the largest crude oil exporters, it is seen as a long-standing resistor to mitigation initiatives by the global community. 
Brazil, once the host of the Rio Summit and the leader on the issues of climate change, today stands as a threat, absconding the Climate Action Summit. President Bolsonaro categorically stated at the UN General Assembly that his country has the sovereign right over the Brazilian portion of the Amazon. The state’s agricultural policy that is apathetic to clearing rainforests refrained Brazil from joining the Summit. This reiterates the debate where the idea of global commons is juxtaposed to the Westphalian concept of sovereignty.
Australia, Japan, and South Africa were unwelcome to the summit as the ongoing fossil-fuel policies that these nations are banking on for projected economic growth curbs them from a commitment to any concrete plan to raise the bar for climate action.
Given the social and political changes within each of these countries, this group is enacting policies that go counter to their commitments in the 2015 deal. The element of exacerbation comes where, despite their absence at the Summit, other countries with resolve are under pressure to do more to counter the effect of this group, most of which are truly economic giants.    

The Enhancers
70 countries promised to enact much stricter nationally determined contributions (NDCs) in 2020, which were previously numbered at 23. The new promisers include Argentina, Ethiopia, and Turkey. This group of major nations accounts for 6.8 per cent of the global emissions. These countries remained mostly adherent to the NDCs set for themselves in the 2015 Paris Climate Summit and some are yet to ratify the signed 2015 pact.
India stands within the limits set in 2015, with promises of boosting its renewable energy production by 2022. China also voiced its support for Climate action through its accelerated installations of renewable energy and increasing its forest cover. Both of the nations expressed the desire for increased contribution from developed nations to support climate change mitigation and adaptation work in the home countries. While India’s NDCs are in line with the global target of 2 degrees, China’s contributions have not yet met the desired global target. Unlike the zealots, these countries did not push beyond the boundaries set for themselves, e.g., regarding the continued usage of coal for power plants. It is noteworthy that India, China along with Turkey have the biggest coal expansion plans for the near future and none of them hinted at the issue, of moving away from coal, in their commitments.
Russia announced that it had ratified the agreement signed during the 2015 Paris Climate Summit, but had no intentions for any aggressive measures. Turkey is awaiting a demotion from the status of a developed to a developing country to have access to the Green Climate Fund; a reason with which has been delaying the ratification of the 2015 pact in its legislature. Although, a rise in renewable energy and increased forested land were raised as exemplary measures as part of climate action.
The common rhetoric from this group of nations is that they expect the developed countries to lead in their efforts through climate finance support for the developing nations. With the US nowhere in the scene, a significant hope breathed through UN regarding China, stemming from the recent China-France talks on the sidelines of the G20 Summit. China was expected to take a lead by setting up its bars high, with an ambitious proposal regarding its commitments, but has failed to materialize.

The Non-State Actors
Bill Gates announced a US$790 million fund to support research on making small farmers’ practices resilient to climate change. As part of adaptation measures, these small farmers are the most vulnerable and several nations’ food security is dependent on them. The fund is directed to the international food technology research group CGIAR. The fund is raised by Gates’ foundation alongside a few European countries and The World Bank. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation pledged US$310 million of the US$790 million. This measure is estimated to impact 300 million farmers in the poorest nations.
As part of the UN Global Compact, a consortium of 87 major companies adopted business models tuned to profit from taking measures towards sustainability. These companies sum up to a combined market capitalization of more than US$2.3 trillion and the impact of this corporate change is equivalent to shutting down 73 coal-fired power plants. Alongside sustainability efforts, these companies pledged to adopt science-based targets, which allow independent assessment of corporate emission cuts. These companies include brands such as Burberry, Danone, Electrolux, Ericsson, IKEA, Maersk, and Nestlé. Maersk, e.g., partners with other shipping giants in launching “commercially-viable” zero emissions vessels on deep-sea trade routes by 2030.
The International Development Finance Club (IDFC), composed of 24 national and regional development banks in emerging and developing countries, is aimed at mobilizing US$1 trillion in Climate Finance by 2025, in partnership with the Green Climate Fund. 
To promote investments in tune with climate action, a group of insurance companies and pension funds promised to divest its funds completely from fossil fuel companies by 2050. They also promised to direct the new investments in adaptation- and mitigation-related projects. This group of companies include insurance giants such as Allianz and have combined management of US$2.3 trillion.
The momentum from these private funders in response to calls for climate action is considered unprecedented when compared to the pledges of nation-states. It is rare that large companies, some of them with footprints equivalent to that of small nations, do make such promises in emission cuts and new sources of raising finance to support climate action projects. Apart from generous donations from philanthropists, a sense of redirection towards climate-change-sensitive options is a promising trend in the economic and financial sectors. Such a proactive shift in industry and finance will ease the friction of implementing climate policies at the national level. 


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July 2025 | CWA # 1762

Lekshmi MK

Ocean Darkening: 
What is the phenomenon? What are its effects? And who are more vulnerable?
Global Politics Explainer
July 2025 | CWA # 1749

R Preetha

Africa as the Hunger Epicenter
Of the 13 Global Hunger Hotspots, 8 are in Africa: Five reasons why
The World This Week
July 2025 | CWA # 1748

GP Team

The World This Week #318
PM Modi’s Visit to Trinidad and Tobago & Ghana, One big beautiful bill, and Quad Foreign Ministers Meeting
Global Politics Explainer
July 2025 | CWA # 1744

Chittrothu Vaihali

EU-Canada Summit 2025
What is security and defence partnership all about?
Conflict Weekly
July 2025 | CWA # 1742

IPRI Team

Conflict Weekly # 287-88
The 12 Day War and the Congo-Rwanda Peace Deal
Global Politics Explainer
July 2025 | CWA # 1738

Fleur Elizabeth Philip

Thailand and Cambodia
What was the phone call between PM Shinawatra and President of Senate Hun Sen? What is the border dispute between the two? Why has this become an issue?
TWTW Note
June 2025 | CWA # 1735

Padmashree Anandhan

NATO Summit 2025:
Trump making Europe great again
The World This Week
June 2025 | CWA # 1734

GP Team

The World This Week #317
NATO Summit 2025 and Russia-Mali bilateral agreements
Global Politics Explainer
June 2025 | CWA # 1733

Ananya Dinesh

China and the Pacific Islands 
What was the recent China-PIC joint statement about? What it says, and what it means?
TWTW Note
June 2025 | CWA # 1728

M Kejia

G7 Summit 2025:
The Focus on the Middle East and Trade negotiations
The World This Week
June 2025 | CWA # 1726

GP Team

The World This Week #316
China-Central Asia Summit in Kazakhstan, and the G7 Summit in Canada
Global Politics Explainer
June 2025 | CWA # 1725

Brighty Ann Sarah, R Preetha, Santhiya M, Aparna A Nair & M Kejia

Operation Midnight Hammer: US bombs three nuclear sites in Iran
What were the three Iranian nuclear sites that were targeted? What are the B2 Bombers and Bunker Buster Bombs? What do these attacks mean? What Next?
Conflict Weekly
June 2025 | CWA # 1724

IPRI Team

Conflict Weekly #286
The Spiralling Israel-Iran Crisis, and the Dangerous Hunger Hotspots
Global Politics Explainer
June 2025 | CWA # 1721

Rizwana Banu S and Santhiya M

Who are the Afrikaners?
Why is Trump interested in the Afrikaner question in South Africa?
Global Politics Explainer
June 2025 | CWA # 1720

Lekshmi MK

New WMO Report on Arctic Warming
What are the social, economic and environmental implications of Arctic warming
Global Politics Explainer
June 2025 | CWA # 1719

J Yamini  

China’s EV Surge
What contributes to the rise of BYD
Global Politics Explainer
June 2025 | CWA # 1717

J Yamini

Gender Violence in Pakistan:
What are the larger issues in the Noor Mukadam case?
TWTW Note
June 2025 | CWA # 1715

Femy Francis

The US-China:
On Tariffs, Rare Earths and Visas
The World This Week
June 2025 | CWA # 1713

GP Team

The World This Week #315
The UN Ocean Conference in France and the US-China Meeting in London
CW Note
June 2025 | CWA # 1712

R Preetha

The World This Week
June 2025 | CWA # 1705

GP Team

The World This Week #314
Elections in South Korea and Poland I China and the Pacific Island Countries I Bangladesh Election Announcement 2026
Global Politics Explainer
June 2025 | CWA # 1703

M Kejia 

Sagarmatha Sambaad in Nepal
Kathmandu’s Global Agenda for the Himalayas
Global Politics Explainer
June 2025 | CWA # 1700

R Preetha

Ethiopia bans the TPLF
What does the TPLF ban mean for the Pretoria agreement? What next for Ethiopia?
TWTW Note
June 2025 | CWA # 1694

Aashish Ganeshan

The US:
Harvard vs Trump Administration
The World This Week
June 2025 | CWA # 1691

GP Team

The World This Week #313
China-ASEAN-GCC Summit I President Macron's visit to South East Asia I Trump Vs Harvard
The World This Week
May 2025 | CWA # 1690

GP Team

The World This Week #312
Elections in Romania, Portugal & Poland I UK-EU Summit
CW Note
May 2025 | CWA # 1689

Padmashree Anandhan

Ukraine
Continuing Russia’s Aerial Attacks, despite exchange of prisoners
CW Note
May 2025 | CWA # 1688

Ayan Datta

Gaza
The Humanitarian Crisis and Israel’s Renewed Offensive
TWTW Note
May 2025 | CWA # 1685

Aparna A Nair

UK-EU Summit:
First step towards a reset
TWTW Note
May 2025 | CWA # 1683

Aashish Ganeshan

Elections in Portugal:
The Rise of Chega Party and the Search for Political Stability
TWTW Note
May 2025 | CWA # 1679

Aashish Ganeshan

US in the Middle Easr
Trump’s visit to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and UAE
TWTW Note
May 2025 | CWA # 1678

Gauri Gupta

China in Latin America
China-CELAC forum: Strengthening ties with Latin America and Caribbean
The World This Week
May 2025 | CWA # 1677

GP Team

The World This Week #310-311
China in Latin America and the Carribbean I Trump's Middle East Visit I Denmark as the new Arctic Chair
CW Note
May 2025 | CWA # 1675

Lekshmi MK

Turkey:
PKK disbands after 40 years of armed insurgency
CW Note
May 2025 | CWA # 1673

Padmashree Anandhan

Ukraine:
The Discussion in Turkiye and the Elusive Ceasefire
CW Note
May 2025 | CWA # 1671

Abhiruchi Chowdhury

US, Ukraine and Russia:
Air attacks amidst a Minerals deal and Ceasefire Proposals
Global Politics Early Bird
May 2025 | CWA # 1670

Fleur Elizabeth Philip

Singapore Elections in 2025:
People’s Action Party (PAP) Wins, Again
TWTW Note
May 2025 | CWA # 1667

R Preetha and Brighty Ann Sarah

East Asia:
Tough Tariff Negotiations with the US
TWTW Note
May 2025 | CWA # 1666

Padmashree Anandhan

The US-Ukraine
The mineral deal with the US
Conflict Weekly
May 2025 | CWA # 1665
Conflict Weekly # 280-81
India-Pakistan De-escalation I Ukraine Discussion in Istanbul I The Battle over Port Sudan I Disbanding of PKK in Turkiye I France-Algeria Diplomatic Tensions
Global Politics Early Bird
May 2025 | CWA # 1663

R Preetha

Canada Elections 2025:
What do the results convey? What next for Mark Carney?
Conflict Weekly 250th Issue
October 2024 | CWA # 1480

IPRI Team

This Week in History
July 2024 | CWA # 1413

Ramya B

Global Politics Early Bird
May 2024 | CWA # 1336

Femy Francis

This Week in History
April 2024 | CWA # 1275

Ramya B

NIAS Global Politics Database
March 2024 | CWA # 1251

NIAS Africa Team

Africa This Week
This Week in History
March 2024 | CWA # 1246

Sivasubramanian K

NIAS Global Politics Database
February 2024 | CWA # 1226

NIAS Africa Team

Africa This Week
The World This Week
November 2023 | CWA # 1148

GP Team

The War in Ukraine
October 2023 | CWA # 1091

Annem Naga Bindhu Madhuri

Issues for Europe
NIAS Pakistan Weekly
October 2023 | CWA # 1087

PR Team

The World This Week
October 2023 | CWA # 1083

GP Team

Conflict Weekly
August 2023 | CWA # 1049

IPRI Team

IPRI Quarterly Forecasts I Triggers, Trends, and Trajectories
July 2023 | CWA # 1012

Bibhu Prasad Routray

Myanmar continues to burn
The World This Week
July 2023 | CWA # 1009

GP Team

2022: The World This Year
December 2022 | CWA # 879

Padmashree Anandhan

The Ukraine War
2022: The World This Year
December 2022 | CWA # 872

Sapna Elsa Abraham

Europe: Heatwaves, Wildfires, Droughts, and Ice Melt in Alps
November 2022 | CWA # 838

Rishma Banerjee

Tracing Europe's droughts
NIAS Africa Weekly
March 2022 | CWA # 705

NIAS Africa Team

In Focus: Libya
The World This Week: 150th Issue
December 2021 | CWA # 630

GP Team

Europe in 2021
Pakistan Reader
October 2021 | CWA # 588

Abigail Miriam Fernandez

TLP is back again
NIAS Fortnightly on Science, Technology & International Relations
August 2021 | CWA # 528

STIR Team

Space Tourism
GLOBAL PROTEST MOVEMENTS
September 2020 | CWA # 337

Anju Annie Mammen

The FATF Meeting, February 2020
February 2020 | CWA # 235

Lakshmi V Menon

Science, Technology and International Relations
September 2019 | CWA # 162

Lakshman Chakravarthy N

5G: A Primer
South Asia Monthly Brief (Nov 2018)
December 2018 | CWA # 71

Mahesh Bhatta

Nepal
South Asia Monthly Brief (Nov 2018)
December 2018 | CWA # 70

Nasima Khatoon

The Maldives
South Asia Monthly Brief (Nov 2018)
December 2018 | CWA # 69

Harini Madhusudan

India
South Asia Monthly Brief (Nov 2018)
December 2018 | CWA # 68

Sourina Bej

Bangladesh
South Asia Monthly Brief (Nov 2018)
December 2018 | CWA # 67

Seetha Lakshmi Dinesh Iyer

Afghanistan
United States
July 2018 | CWA # 47

Rahul Arockiaraj

East Asia
June 2018 | CWA # 26

Siddhatti Mehta