According to the UN agency’s ‘Emissions Gap Report 2024’, countries need to curb their carbon emissions as soon as possible. Inger Andersson, the organization’s executive director, says that this is a very important time in terms of climate (action).
“We need global mobility on a scale and at a speed never seen before. “We need to start now, just before the next round of climate solutions.”
The executive director of the United Nations Environment Program has warned that if this is not done, the goal of limiting temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius under the Paris Agreement will be lost. And the target of keeping it below two degrees Celsius will also be in Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
The UN agency released the report during the 16th Global Biodiversity Conference held in Cali, Colombia.
This report assesses the state of greenhouse gas emissions at the global level, explains the gap between action commitments by countries and the current situation, and explains what is needed to achieve the 1.5 degrees and 2 degrees Celsius targets in line with the Paris Agreement. Action must be taken.
UN experts estimate that temperature increases could be reduced by 1.5 percent if countries do not collectively commit to cutting annual greenhouse gas emissions by 42 percent by 2030 and if they do not set a target of 57 percent reductions by 2035. It will not be possible to limit it to degrees Celsius.
The world is in crisis
The report suggests that the world could face a catastrophic rise in temperature of 3.1 degrees without drastic reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. The report comes at a time when countries’ governments are failing to meet their commitments.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the emissions gap is not an abstract concept, but reflects a deep connection between rising emissions and increasing severity and frequency of climate disasters.
He warned in his video message that we are walking a very fine line. “Either leaders must close the emissions gap or we will plunge straight into climate disaster, with the poorest and most vulnerable affected.”
Emphasis on ambitious plans
The UN’s annual climate change conference is being held in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, in November, where countries will discuss ambitious climate action plans at the national level.
Secretary-General Guterres said that with the event, the clock would start for countries to present their national climate action plans.
“Governments have agreed to prepare these plans in line with 1.5 degrees.”
This means they need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, bring the whole economy into action and strive for progress in every sector.
He urged members of the G20, a group of world’s leading economies, to take steps in this direction. This group accounts for 80 percent of total global carbon emissions.
Technology can help
The world has the technology to achieve the emissions reductions needed to meet the 1.5°C limit on temperature rise between 2030 and 2050, according to the top UN official. However, this requires ambition and support.
According to the report, carbon dioxide emissions can be reduced by 31 gigatonnes by 2030.
By promoting the use of solar photovoltaics and wind energy, a 27 percent reduction could be achieved by 2030, increasing to 38 percent by 2035. Additional reductions can be achieved by adopting forest conservation measures.
Another effective solution is to strengthen energy efficiency. Use of fossil fuels in buildings, transport and industry should be eliminated and clean energy sources should be adopted.
The UN agency warned in its assessment that realizing these possibilities on the ground would require unprecedented international cooperation. At the same time, socio-economic and environmental benefits should be increased in addition to reducing losses in the process of change.