Enabling future climate policy: An analysis of policy gaps and progress under the Paris Agreement

Summary

Almost all countries agreed to set targets and policies to stop emitting climate-damaging gases when they adopted the Paris Agreement. Research shows that global emissions are not projected to decline fast enough and that additional strategies to improve climate action are necessary. In my thesis, I analysed these targets and policies to provide national evidence of progress implementing the Paris Agreement. I also analysed sector-level climate policies, such as those adopted to reduce emissions from buildings or transportation, to identify potential entry points for improving national and global climate action. My research shows that current efforts to reduce emissions work but that they still need to improve in most countries. It also shows that filling the identified climate policy gaps present a clear strategy to improve national and global climate action. Overall, strengthening international cooperation will be fundamental to realise the collective goals of the Paris Agreement.