Climate Ambition Summit Highlights Important Progress But More Action Needed in 2021

A statement from World Resources Institute President & CEO Andrew Steer regarding the Climate Ambition Summit, noting progress in net-zero commitments from various nations and non-state actors while criticizing the lack of bold 2030 emission targets and insufficient financial support for developing countries.

• The Climate Ambition Summit saw several nations announce new climate commitments. The European Union, United Kingdom, and Colombia confirmed 2030 emission reduction targets, while China announced targets contributing to its goal of carbon neutrality before 2060. Argentina committed to reaching net-zero by 2050 and set a stronger 2030 emissions reduction target, which means most G20 countries now have net-zero targets. Additionally, Barbados, Costa Rica, Denmark, Germany, France, and Pakistan pledged to move away from fossil fuels.
• Non-state actors have shown significant commitment to a net-zero future, with over 2,500 cities, states, businesses, investors, and other entities joining the Race to Zero campaign. This includes a new alliance of investors who manage more than $9 trillion in assets.
• Despite some progress, Andrew Steer notes that too few major economies provided bold new commitments for 2030 emission reductions or the financial mobilization necessary for developing countries to transition to resilient, low-carbon economies.
• Developed countries have failed to provide clear signals on how they will fulfill the commitment to mobilize $100 billion annually in climate finance. While some new pledges were made to UN climate funds, the financial support provided did not match the leadership shown by vulnerable developing countries in pursuing nature-based solutions and low-carbon economies.

APA

Steer, A. (2020). Climate Ambition Summit Highlights Important Progress But More Action Needed in 2021. World Resources Institute. https://www.wri.org/news/statement-climate-ambition-summit-highlights-important-progress-more-action-needed-2021

Chicago

Steer, Andrew. Climate Ambition Summit Highlights Important Progress But More Action Needed in 2021. World Resources Institute, 2020. https://www.wri.org/news/statement-climate-ambition-summit-highlights-important-progress-more-action-needed-2021.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |last1=Steer |first1=Andrew |title=Climate Ambition Summit Highlights Important Progress But More Action Needed in 2021 |publisher=World Resources Institute |date=12 December 2020 |url=https://www.wri.org/news/statement-climate-ambition-summit-highlights-important-progress-more-action-needed-2021 |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{steer2020climate, author = {Steer, Andrew}, title = {{Climate Ambition Summit Highlights Important Progress But More Action Needed in 2021}}, publisher = {World Resources Institute}, year = {2020}, month = dec, url = {https://www.wri.org/news/statement-climate-ambition-summit-highlights-important-progress-more-action-needed-2021}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }