The Briefing Room

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David Aaronovitch presents in-depth explainers on big issues in the news.

David Aaronovitch and a panel of experts and insiders present in-depth explainers on big issues in the news.

David Aaronovitch and a panel of experts and insiders present in-depth explainers on big issues in the news

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The Briefing Room: The Climate Crisis: Are We Moving Fast Enough?

The Climate Crisis: Are We Moving Fast Enough?

BBC Radio 4 - The Briefing Room, The Climate Crisis: Are We Moving Fast Enough?

China has set a target for net zero CO2, the US will shortly - but is this fast enough?

China has set a target for net zero CO2 emissions, and the US will shortly. The two countries represent over 40 per cent of global emissions, but is the world moving fast enough?

While the world’s attention has been distracted by Covid, the climate crisis has continued to pose an existential threat. But there have been significant developments this year, not least the announcement by China that it has set 2060 as the year when it will become carbon neutral. 

Joe Biden was elected president of the United States with promises to set a carbon neutral target of his own and to spend trillions of dollars on new green jobs and new green infrastructure. 

The EU, Japan and South Korea have all designated 2050 as the year they will reach net zero emissions. Meanwhile the world continues to get hotter. 

So is this all too little, too late? Hopefully not, especially, as we’ll hear, given the way that industry and finance are now reorganising.

Contributors: 

Professor Mark Maslin of University College London

Byford Tsang of the climate change think tank E3G

Pete Ogden, who worked on climate change in the Obama White House and is now at the United Nations Foundation

Dr Gabrielle Walker, a writer and consultant to private industry on climate change adaptation.

Producers: Tim Mansel, Sally Abrahams, Kirsteen Knight
Editor: Jasper Corbett

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