The Players
Earth / United Nations
The Kyoto Protocol was adopted on December 11, 1997 and later went into effect on February 16, 2005.
In short, the Kyoto Protocol operationalizes the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change by committing industrialized countries and economies in transition to limit and reduce greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions in accordance with agreed individual targets. The Convention itself only asks those countries to adopt policies and measures on mitigation and to report periodically
The Paris Agreement was adopted on December 12, 2015 and later put into affect on November 4, 2016.
Its goal is to limit global warming to well below 2, preferably to 1.5 degrees Celsius, compared to pre-industrial levels. To achieve this long-term temperature goal, countries aim to reach global peaking of greenhouse gas emissions as soon as possible to achieve a climate neutral world by mid-century.”
United States Federal Government
Heavy lifting on climate does have to come from the federal government. It overseas the tax system, controls the treasury, has the largest say on environmental policy, and is the focus of most media. National governments are great at generating lots of labor in times of war but for a moral change it is harder.
The Biden administration is currently aiming to make a lot of progress, and there is certainly potential to start the ball rolling over the next few years and hopefully use that momentum over the next couple decades. A major initiative will require legislation, which will need to pass a United States Senate. The Senate is barely under democrat control and has an arcane filibuster rule allowing legislation to be blocked by a 40% minority.
The Biden’s administration’s climate objectives are outlined on the whitehouse.gov website. [1]
President Biden set ambitious goals that will ensure America and the world can meet the urgent demands of the climate crisis, while empowering American workers and businesses to lead a clean energy revolution that achieves a carbon pollution-free power sector by 2035 and puts the United States on an irreversible path to a net-zero economy by 2050
State and Local Government
Every government institution owns and operates buildings and can oversee development and encourage green buildout. Local governments can also consolidate residents electricity and energy bills and work to have it supplied or offset by green sources as well as work with local groups on other initiatives outside the city governments. States have oversight of pricing and power plant siting and also have power in enforcing the air pollution standards.
Compact of Mayors – a global agreement of 648 cities that have agreed to measure emissions and climate risk and publicly report findings.
Others
Companies – own building, infrastructure, and vehicles. Any entity that has control over buildings, vehicles, supply chain etc. can analyze ways to be more carbon efficient.
Charities – Involved in conservation, building renewables, subsidizing renewable buildout, activism. Charities can pool money from individuals and identify projects and work that are helpful.
Individuals – personal choices, giving money, politics. More information on individuals in the individuals tab.
References
- Whitehouse.gov “FACT SHEET: President Biden Takes Executive Actions to Tackle the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad, Create Jobs, and Restore Scientific Integrity Across Federal Government” https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/01/27/fact-sheet-president-biden-takes-executive-actions-to-tackle-the-climate-crisis-at-home-and-abroad-create-jobs-and-restore-scientific-integrity-across-federal-government/. Accessed March 13, 2021