The United Nations Environment Program has released a new update containing more dire news about the chances of avoiding a climate catastrophe caused by greenhouse gas emissions. According to this assessment, the current trajectory of international commitments is expected to increase global temperatures by more than 2.6 degrees Celsius over the course of this century. Temperature changes of this magnitude will lead to more catastrophic and life-threatening weather events.
UN member states are expected to submit their latest nationally determined contributions ahead of next year’s COP30 conference in Brazil. NDC presents each country’s plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. One part of the NDC aims to meet the Paris Agreement’s goal of limiting global temperature rises to 1.5 degrees Celsius, while the other part aims to keep global temperature rises within the less ideal 2 degrees Celsius. The report says it is technically possible to meet the Paris Agreement goals, but much greater action will be needed to reduce emissions by the amount needed.
“Increased deployment of solar photovoltaic technology and wind energy could provide 27% of the total emissions reduction potential in 2030 and 38% in 2035,” the report says, giving an example of what is still needed. “Actions on forests could deliver about 20% of the potential over two years.”
“Even one degree Celsius is avoidable in terms of saving lives, protecting economies, preventing damage, conserving biodiversity and the ability to quickly reduce temperature excesses,” Inger Andersen, executive director of the UN Environment Program, wrote in the report.
International cooperation, government commitments and financial contributions are also essential to get back to the 2 or 1.5 degree targets. “G20 countries, especially the highest emitting members, will have to shoulder a heavy burden,” the report said.
If this all sounds familiar, it’s probably because the United Nations now issues the same stark warnings in each of its annual reports on emissions. And other reports have echoed their claims, including one earlier this year that accused just 57 companies of being responsible for 80% of global carbon dioxide emissions.
