The world is cutting its carbon emissions – but which countries are doing the most to help?

Today, India revealed its plan to signficantly cut its carbon emissions by 2030.

 

In its Intended Nationally Determined Contribution plan, it says it will reduce the release of harmful gases by between 33 and 35 per cent relative to 2005 levels over the next 15 years. 

 

It isn't the only country to deliver such a big promise, though – 147 other nations have submitted similar plans to the UN, ahead of next month's climate change conference in Paris. 

 

So, now that each country has confirmed what it intends to do, which area is planning to make the biggest cuts?

 

China, which intends to bring down carbon emissions by 60-65 per cent by 2030, comes in first place. After that comes the EU, which has promised a 40 per cent cut, although this is relative to 1990 emission levels, rather than those 10 years ago. 

 

The US has promised fewer cuts than Canada to the North and Brazil to the South, saying it will reduce emissions by 26-28 per cent. 

 

 

According to analysts at the Climate Action Tracker, once all the country's plans are combined they will  lead to temperature rises of 2.7 degrees celsius above pre-industrial levels. That's above the target of two degrees or under, but it's an improvement on earlier estimates. 

 

There are still some issues to be resolved before the submitted plans are put into action, however – Developed countries have donated a combined $100bn to help developing nations meet their targets, but India says more will be needed than this.