A window into what we are reading at the Wilson Center’s Environmental Change and Security Program

A Fifth National Climate Assessment

The US Global Change Research Program launched the fifth National Climate Assessment (NCA)  on Monday, November 13. Published once every five years, the NCA is the United States’ leading report on climate change impacts, risks, and responses.

The new assessment takes stock of a nation where emissions fell by 12 percent from 2005 to 2019 while the economy grew and climate action is on the rise. Yet it also observes that much more needs to be done to reach US net-zero emission goals, as well as insulate communities from the broader impacts of climate change.

The NCA provides an important reminder of the very real impacts of climate change, not only on our economy but also on people’s livelihoods. Its comprehensive data and clear recommendations mean that this assessment should serve as a basis for informed policymaking and meaningful national climate action.

READ | The Biden-Harris Administration Releases a (Nearly) Whole-of-Government Response to Climate Security

Following Talks in California, US and China Commit to Climate Collaboration

After a period  in which collaboration on climate targets was suspended, the US and China now have agreed to support a new global renewables target. The two nations will also collaborate on reducing methane and plastic pollution ahead of the UN climate summit in Dubai.

Following talks between Climate Envoys John Kerry and Xie Zhenhua, the US and China released a joint statement reviving a bilateral climate working group to discuss future areas of cooperation. The working group will focus on developing a circular economy, exchanging information on emission reduction strategies, and deforestation, among other areas.

While the statement is an optimistic one, there are some remaining hurdles. China has been slow to agree to the phase-out of fossil fuels, which will be a key issue shaping climate goals in the lead-up to and aftermath of COP28. Nonetheless, this meeting put the two largest greenhouse gas emitters on a path towards meaningful cooperation on climate issues.

READ | China’s Climate Security Vulnerabilities

COP28 Draft Declaration Unites Climate Funding with Conflict

The “pre-final” and nonbinding draft of the Climate, Relief, Recovery, and Peace Declaration released earlier this week by the United Arab Emirates advocates for immediate action and urgent funding to address the impact of conflict and climate change on vulnerable communities.

People affected by conflict, fragility, or humanitarian crises are underserved by existing climate finance infrastructure. While this proposed statement breaks ground, there is a core weakness in the draft declaration that echoes many international climate action initiatives: a lack of specific financing goals for donors and lacks an accountability mechanism.

The final declaration will be released during COP28 in early December. It is expected that it will include calls for immediate, systemic actions across financial support, programming, and partnerships to address the challenges faced by people in conflict-affected settings and tackle loss and damage concerns.

READ | Relief, Recovery, and Peace: David Nicholson on COP28’s New Theme