The UN warns that the world is on course for a “catastrophic” temperature rise of 3.1 degrees Celsius without significant emissions reductions efforts. The report highlights that the goal of limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius will be unattainable unless nations mobilize unprecedented measures to cut greenhouse gases. As countries prepare for the Cop29 climate talks, immediate action is necessary to address the increasing emissions, which have risen by 1.3% in 2023. Leaders are urged to close the emissions gap to prevent dire climate consequences.
The United Nations (UN) has issued a stark warning indicating that the world is on track for a “catastrophic” increase in global temperatures, potentially reaching up to 3.1 degrees Celsius by the end of this century unless urgent action is taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In its report from the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), it was stated that the international goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius is nearing failure without an unprecedented global mobilization to decrease emissions. Current commitments by nations suggest that temperature rises could lie between 2.6 to 3.1 degrees Celsius, contingent upon the success of promised climate actions. The upcoming UN Cop29 conference in Baku, Azerbaijan, is set against the backdrop of these alarming projections, as countries are called on to generate stronger financial support for developing nations to tackle the climate crisis effectively, Following the agreements established at the 2015 Paris climate talks, where nations committed to capping temperature increases to “well below” 2 degrees Celsius, scientists continue to assert that 1.5 degrees Celsius represents a critical threshold. Exceeding this limit could result in dire consequences including extreme weather events, ecosystem collapse, and significant sea-level rise. As nations prepare their new climate action plans, UNEP’s report emphasizes that the goal of curtailing dangerous warming is increasingly elusive. Greenhouse gas emissions remain on the rise, with a 1.3% increase recorded in 2023 compared to the previous year, and the G20 countries contributing to 77% of these emissions. Even if countries adhere to their current climate action outlines, projected temperature rises are still estimated between 2.6 and 2.8 degrees Celsius. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres remarked that the world is “teetering on a planetary tightrope,” while underscoring the need for leaders to address the emissions gap to avert catastrophic outcomes, particularly for vulnerable populations already experiencing climate-induced disasters. UNEP’s Executive Director, Inger Andersen, stressed that immediate and unwavering global cooperation is vital in mobilizing an extensive response, urging nations to agree on a new financial goal at Cop29 that will facilitate resources for developing countries. Moreover, the report asserts that achieving a 1.5-degree pathway necessitates cutting 42% of annual greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and 57% by 2035. In closing, while the technical means to achieve these reductions exist, they require a concerted global effort led by major economies to effectively combat climate change and mitigate its impacts.
The issue of climate change represents one of the most pressing global challenges of our time, characterized by rising temperatures resulting from greenhouse gas emissions primarily due to human activities such as fossil fuel combustion and deforestation. The United Nations and various scientific organizations have outlined specific temperature goals aimed at preventing irreversible damage to the planet’s ecosystems and human health. The Paris Agreement of 2015 established a significant commitment among nations to limit global warming, emphasizing the importance of international cooperation and substantial emissions reductions. Reports such as the one released by UNEP are critical in monitoring progress toward these objectives and addressing the significant gaps that remain in global climate actions.
The UN’s alarming report indicates an urgent need for decisive action to prevent catastrophic climate outcomes. As global temperatures are projected to increase significantly without substantial efforts to reduce emissions, it is imperative for nations to enhance their commitments and cooperate on a global scale, particularly at the upcoming Cop29 conference. The commitment to achieve the 1.5-degree Celsius goal necessitates ambitious plans and immediate actions to cut greenhouse gas emissions significantly, ultimately safeguarding vulnerable populations and promoting sustainable development.
Original Source: www.independent.co.uk
