Climate promises by countries still not enough to avoid catastrophic global warming: UN report |
Combined current Contributions determined by the country (NDC) – which assesses countries’ national efforts to tackle emissions and mitigate climate change – is warming our planet by at least 2.5 degrees, a level recognized by the World Health Organization. scientists at the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change consider catastrophic (IPCC).
Increase instead of decrease
In 2019, The IPCC pointed out that to limit global warming, CO2 emissions need to be cut by 43% by 2030, compared with 2010 levels, but current climate plans suggest an increase of 10.6%.
However, this is an improvement over last year’s reportshows a 13.7% increase in emissions by 2030 and a further increase in emissions beyond 2030.
Simon Stiell, United Nations Executive Secretary for Climate Change, said: “The projected emissions reduction trends by 2030 show that countries have made some progress this year.
“But the science is clear, and so are our climate goals.” Paris Agreement. We still nowhere near the scale and the rate of emission reductions needed to put us on track with the world of 1.5 degrees Celsius,” he warned.
Mr. Stiell stressed that national governments need to strengthen their climate action plans now and implement them in the next eight years.
Fossil fuel power plants are among the largest emitters of greenhouse gases causing climate change.
The glimmer of hope
Last year, during the UN Climate Change Conference COP26 in Glasgow, Scotland, all countries agreed to review and strengthen their climate plans, however, only 24 out of 193 countries submit updated plans to the UN.
“…It’s disappointing. Government decisions and actions must reflect the urgency, severity of the threats we face, and the short time we have left to avoid its devastating consequences. climate change is on the run”, emphasized UN Climate Change Chief.
According to the agency, the good news is that most of the countries that submitted a new plan increased their commitment, showing more ambition in tackling climate change.
More positive trends were found in the second UN Climate Change assessment released on Wednesday looking at net zero long-term strategies.
62 countries, accounting for 93% of the world’s GDP, 47% of the global population and about 69% of total energy consumption, have these plans in place.
“This is a strong signal that the world is starting to move towards the net zero emissions target,” the agency said.
However, experts note that many unrealistic goals remain uncertain and delay important future action that needs to be taken now.
Tuvaluan politician, Simon Kofe, speaks on behalf of Tuvalu in a pre-recorded video for COP26.
A Call for Global Leaders
In less than two weeks, the UN Climate Change Conference COP27 will take place in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, and Mr. Siell is calling on governments to review their climate plans and make they are more powerful to bridge the gap between where the emissions are and where the science indicates they should be this decade.
“COP27 is the moment when global leaders can regain momentum on climate change, make the necessary turnaround from negotiation to implementation, and begin the major transition that must be made,” he said. taking place in all sectors of society to address the climate emergency”.
Stiell called on national governments to show at the conference how they will put the Paris Agreement to work through legislation, policies and programmes, and how they will cooperate and support its implementation.
He also called on countries to make progress in four priority areas: mitigation, adaptation, loss and damage, and financing.
