As the only South American country with no government ministry dedicated to the environment, it should come as little surprise that Argentina\u2019s national climate plan, announced in Buenos Aires on Monday, is regarded by observers as distinctly unambitious.<\/p>\n
Experts have censured Argentina\u2019s commitment to reduce its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions a mere 15% by 2030 compared to 2005 levels, although it retains the possibility of a 30% reduction subject to obtaining international financial assistance.<\/p>\n
While the government has described its national climate plan (known as an intended nationally determined contribution or INDC<\/a> in UN parlance) as ambitious according to the country\u2019s capabilities, climate experts and environmental organizations have criticised the INDC for its weakness compared to those of its regional counterparts.<\/p>\n Latin America\u2019s largest emitter, Brazil, announced on Sunday<\/a> that it would reduce GHG emissions by at least 37% based on 2005 levels, rising to 43% by 2030.<\/p>\n \u201cArgentina has the obligation and the necessity to keep growing, we\u2019re not going to sacrifice our people to satisfy international organizations,\u201d Argentina\u2019s environment secretary Sergio Lorusso told Di\u00e1logo Chino before adding; \u201cclimate change is a problem that affects us all but responsibilities are different. We\u2019re going to comply with our promise but we expect developed countries to do the same.\u201d<\/p>\n As one of the 195 signatories to the UN\u2019s Framework Convention on Climate Change<\/a> (UNFCCC), Argentina presented its contribution in advance of global negotiations at the next conference (COP21) in Paris<\/a> in December. Bolivia, Ecuador, Paraguay and Venezuela are the only South American countries yet to submit their proposals. The ostensible deadline for submissions is October 1.<\/p>\n Aside from the limited GHG reduction, one of the main criticisms of Argentina\u2019s INDC is that the projects tasked with reducing emissions are already underway, such as improving the rail network and enhancing its role in freight transportation. However, the plan also emphasises long-term measures like improving energy efficiency in homes and industry and cutting the proportion of biodiesel in fuel.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are a sovereign country and will decide our own goals. It\u2019s a point of departure, we\u2019ll see if we can improve on it later,\u201d said Fabiano Loguzzo, director of environmental affairs at Argentina\u2019s foreign ministry.<\/p>\n But Argentina’s INDC falls short of expectations, said Carlos Villalonga, a former director of Greenpeace Argentina<\/a> and the current head of Buenos Aires\u2019 Environmental Protection Agency<\/a>,.<\/p>\n \u201cThe pledge simply summarises what Argentina has already done. Mitigation will heavily depend on the nuclear and hydroelectric projects. We can\u2019t stay at a level lower than the rest of the region. The numbers need to be revised,\u201d said Villalonga.<\/p>\n The government also aims to develop renewable energy, which today accounts for less than 1% of the country\u2019s energy mix. Argentina expects that an increase in the share of renewables in the matrix to between 8% and 12% will allow the country to meet its 15% reductions target by 2030. This share would increase to 20% in the event that Argentina achieves its conditional 30% reduction.<\/p>\n However, the plan contradicts a law recently approved by congress which outlines a 25% renewable energy target by 2025 and with national elections on October 25, clear and coherent calls for action on climate and environment are notably wanting from policymakers.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n