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The Paris Agreement on climate change came into effect on 4 November 2016. The declared common aim of the treaty – the limiting of global warming to well below two degrees Celsius – is remarkably ambitious, particularly in light of the fact that so far we have been unable to effectively uncouple economic growth from CO2 emissions worldwide. This raises the burning question of how a long-term trend towards sustainable ways of living and doing business can be established worldwide, while also taking into account key issues such as reducing poverty and building prosperity, both now and in the near future.

The signatories to the climate agreement included the world’s four largest producers of emissions: China, India, Russia and the USA. This study takes a detailed look at the different situations of the four countries with regard to reducing emissions. It was carried out by market research specialists Ipsos on behalf of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung.

The report shows that there are many differences between the four countries, but also some similarities. It particularly highlights the fact that preventing climate change is still not a major motivating factor when it comes to reducing emissions. Issues such as combating poverty, economic competitiveness, air pollution and administrative enforceability vary greatly among the four countries. The results of this survey are also important for Germany’s international engagement in the area of climate policy.