America's Pledge, a coalition of U.S. states, cities, businesses, communities of faith, universities, health care and cultural institutions, and other organizations confirmed their commitment to fulfill America’s climate pledge to the world. The latest America's Pledge report, released on December 9, 2019, projects two emissions reductions scenarios based on city, state, business, and federal adoption of ambitious climate action policies:
- Bottom-Up: The first scenario involves a coalition of states, cities, and businesses deploying aggressive best-practice climate policies informed by the ongoing action of current climate leaders. This is projected to reduce emissions 37 percent below 2005 levels by 2030.
- All-In: The second scenario involves a reengaged federal government layering aggressive, post-2020 climate action onto the bottom-up efforts outlined in scenario one. This would put the U.S. on track to reduce emissions 49 percent below 2005 levels by 2030, in line with the Paris Agreement, and lay the foundation for a net-zero emissions economy by 2050.
Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Paraguay and Peru officially declared their commitment to a collective regional objective of 70 percent of renewable energy by 2030. The target was originally announced in November in Peru and will increase renewable energy generation from the current level of 56 percent, with a focus on non-conventional renewable energies. OLADE, the Latin American Energy Organization, will coordinate the initiative and provide data and a platform for countries to develop a work plan to implement the target. (OLADE 12/10/2019) [reprinted from NRDC Latin America Green News]
Twelve renewable energy associations from Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay and Spain signed an agreement to work together to promote renewable energy as a climate change mitigation solution. As part of the Ibero-american Renewable Energy Alliance, the 12 associations will work to replace fossil fuels, build “respectful, harmonious and constructive relations with communities in the areas where projects are developed," and support competition. ACERA, the Chilean Renewable Energy Association, has assumed the General Coordination of the alliance for one year, with the option of re-election for an additional consecutive period. (Revista Electricidad 12/10/2019) [reprinted from NRDC Latin America Green News]