The landmark climate change accord announced today by President Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping calls for aggressive emissions cuts in the U.S. after 2020. Via the Associated Press, the U.S. is on track to meet its goal of lowering greenhouse gas emissions by 17% between 2005 and 2020. Under today’s agreement, President Obama pledged to cut emissions between 26% and 28% by 2025 compared to 2005 levels.
The agreement does not have to be ratified by Congress, but any legislative attempts to further reduce emissions targets would face stiff opposition as Republicans take control of both chambers. President Obama has shown willingness to circumvent Congress on emissions regulation.
China’s surprising vow to reach peak emissions no later than 2030 could negate a key argument for opponents of government action on climate change. It remains to be seen whether or not other nations follow suit. China will almost certainly be challenged to meet its target as it continues to build coal-fired power generation capacity.
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