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Global Problem: Climate Change

emissions decrease by 45% in 2030 compared to the values of 2010. Moreover,
there should be carbon neutrality by 2050. In other words, the emissions must
equal the ones captured by sink areas such as forests and oceans.
All these developments in essence show that human beings face a great
threat. Thus, a transformation with a focus on climate is underway in our world
for a variety of fields, from life-style to job models, production to consumption.
The European Green Deal (EGD) shared with the world on Dec 11th, 2019 is
7
an obvious indicator of this transformation. With the EGD, Europe declared its
goal to become the first carbon neutral continent towards the middle of the
century, announcing the EGD as its new growth strategy. Calling for a circular
economy with zero pollution and growth independent from resources, and
regulations such as a carbon border tax adjustment, EGD appears to be the
new low carbon climate and environment centered growth strategy for the
European Union (EU).
Preparing to extend its Emissions Trading System in practice since 2005
beyond its borders, The EU aims to introduce the Carbon Border Adjustment
Mechanism (CBAM, n.d.). With the CBAM, The EU aims to impose additional
taxes in its border for import products that are not subject to any kind of carbon
emission tax in the country of origin. This will not only protect its competitiveness,
but also give a global dimension to its non-regional emission mitigation policies.
Carbon Border Adjustment System is a virtual reflection of the Climate Club
(Nordhaus, 2015), put forward by the Nobel Laureate William Nordhaus,
calling for obligation rather than volunteerism. This concept calls for countries
with low-carbon economies to get together to form a club, and agreeing on
a common carbon price, require the countries outside the club to take steps
towards this end.
Thus, climate change now stands out as a parameter based on development
strategies. Again, led by the EU and put into practice as of 2019, “The Plastic
Bags Directive” (EU, 2019), obligates countries to make at least 25% of
plastic packages or bottles from recycled plastic by 2035, and at least 30%
by 2030. Thus, the law aims for conservation of raw materials and promotion
of production and growth independent of resources. This provided a legal
basis for practices of circular economy, and took important steps to this end.
Similarly, multi-national textile corporations are expected to follow the same
path and obligate the use of recycled materials in their raw material content
or products at certain proportions.
In addition, in the 26th Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26)
held in Glasgow, Scotland, it was decided for the first time to gradually
reduce the use of coal as a fossil fuel (UNFCCC, 2021a), which indicates
7 The European Green Deal, COM/2019/640

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