The United Nations report projects a potential rise in global temperatures of over 3 degrees Celsius by the end of the century if greater climate action is not taken. Current emissions trends show a continued increase, and the upcoming COP29 summit aims to address global commitments to emission reductions to prevent severe climate impacts.
A recent United Nations report reveals that the planet’s temperature is projected to rise by over 3 degrees Celsius (5.4 degrees Fahrenheit) by the end of this century if governments fail to implement significant climate action. This warming forecast doubles the target established in the Paris Agreement of 2015, which aimed to limit the rise to a maximum of 1.5 C (2.7 F) in order to mitigate severe climate impacts. The annual Emissions Gap report assesses the disparity between the emissions reduction pledges of nations and the necessary action required to address climate change effectively. According to the report, without enhanced measures to reduce emissions, the world could experience warming of up to 3.1 C (5.6 F) over pre-industrial levels by 2100. The report highlights a 1.3% increase in global greenhouse gas emissions between 2022 and 2023, reaching a record level of 57.1 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent. Even with current commitments, projections indicate that temperatures may still surge between 2.6 C (4.7 F) and 2.8 C (5 F) by 2100, mirroring findings of previous years. The analysis points out that the major economies, particularly the G20 members, have made inadequate progress towards their 2030 climate objectives. At present, global temperatures have already risen by approximately 1.3 C (2.3 F). As nations prepare for the upcoming United Nations climate summit (COP29) in Azerbaijan, they are expected to build upon last year’s accord to transition from fossil fuels. The negotiations in Baku will play a critical role in shaping each country’s updated emissions reduction strategy, known as the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), slated for submission by February 2025. The report calls for a collective commitment from nations to achieve a 42% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, increasing to 57% by 2035 to have any possibility of maintaining temperature increases below 1.5 C. Inger Andersen, the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme, has emphasized the importance of leveraging discussions in Baku to strengthen NDCs, stating, “Every fraction of a degree avoided counts.”
The topic of climate change has become increasingly critical as the impacts of global warming become more pronounced. The Paris Agreement, adopted in 2015, was a landmark international treaty that set out the goal of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels in order to mitigate severe environmental impacts. The United Nations annually assesses progress through reports such as the Emissions Gap report, which evaluates the gap between the commitments made by countries and what is necessary to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to prevent catastrophic climate consequences. With upcoming climate summits and the urgent need for enhanced commitments, there is a pressing need for nations to take decisive action.
The United Nations report underscores the urgency for nations to enhance their climate actions to avoid catastrophic warming outcomes. With current policies leading to a potential rise of more than 3 degrees Celsius by 2100, the importance of global cooperation and commitment to emissions reductions cannot be overstated. As countries prepare for COP29, there is a clear expectation for strengthened Nationally Determined Contributions that align with the ambitious goals set forth in the Paris Agreement. Failure to address this issue can have dire consequences for the planet and future generations.
Original Source: clubofmozambique.com
