Global emissions set to fall only 2% by 2030 — UN report
Gap between resolve and action grows more menacing, says UN chief Antonio Guterres
14 November 2023 - 13:52
byGloria Dickie
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London — Governments are making insufficient progress in slashing greenhouse gas emissions to avert the worst effects of global warming, according to a UN report released on Tuesday.
The report comes just weeks before world leaders are due to gather in Dubai for the annual UN climate conference COP28 where governments push for greater climate action, including a possible phase-out of fossil fuels before 2050.
“COP28 must be a historic turning point in this critical decade,” said Sultan al-Jaber, chief of the United Arab Emirates state oil firm, who will preside over the talks.
Under current national climate plans, known as nationally determined contributions (NDCs), emissions can be expected to rise 9% above 2010 levels by the end of this decade even if NDCs are fully implemented, the report found.
Greenhouse gas emissions will fall to 2% below 2019 levels by 2030, the report added, indicating that the world will see emissions peak this decade. That is still far short of the 43% reduction against 2019 levels that the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change says is needed to stay within the 1.5 °C target envisioned by the Paris Agreement.
“Global ambition stagnated over the past year and national climate plans are strikingly misaligned with the science,” said UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres. “The chasm between need and action is more menacing than ever.”
Under the 2015 Paris Agreement in which countries resolved to limit global warming to “well below” 2°C, they must submit and update their NDCs every five years.
The UN report analysed nearly 200 submissions, including 20 new or updated NDCs received as of September 2023. National plans showed a marginal improvement over 2022’s ambitions, with emissions then projected to rise 11% compared to 2010 levels.
“Governments combined are taking baby steps to avert the climate crisis,” said UN climate change executive secretary Simon Stiell.
Some countries may be in a better position than others. An analysis from the Helsinki-based Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air found this week that China’s carbon dioxide emissions could start going into a “structural decline” as early as 2024, owing in part to record renewable energy installations.
What happens in China and the US, the world’s two largest emitters, will be crucial for meeting global climate goals.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Global emissions set to fall only 2% by 2030 — UN report
Gap between resolve and action grows more menacing, says UN chief Antonio Guterres
London — Governments are making insufficient progress in slashing greenhouse gas emissions to avert the worst effects of global warming, according to a UN report released on Tuesday.
The report comes just weeks before world leaders are due to gather in Dubai for the annual UN climate conference COP28 where governments push for greater climate action, including a possible phase-out of fossil fuels before 2050.
“COP28 must be a historic turning point in this critical decade,” said Sultan al-Jaber, chief of the United Arab Emirates state oil firm, who will preside over the talks.
Under current national climate plans, known as nationally determined contributions (NDCs), emissions can be expected to rise 9% above 2010 levels by the end of this decade even if NDCs are fully implemented, the report found.
Greenhouse gas emissions will fall to 2% below 2019 levels by 2030, the report added, indicating that the world will see emissions peak this decade. That is still far short of the 43% reduction against 2019 levels that the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change says is needed to stay within the 1.5 °C target envisioned by the Paris Agreement.
“Global ambition stagnated over the past year and national climate plans are strikingly misaligned with the science,” said UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres. “The chasm between need and action is more menacing than ever.”
Under the 2015 Paris Agreement in which countries resolved to limit global warming to “well below” 2°C, they must submit and update their NDCs every five years.
The UN report analysed nearly 200 submissions, including 20 new or updated NDCs received as of September 2023. National plans showed a marginal improvement over 2022’s ambitions, with emissions then projected to rise 11% compared to 2010 levels.
“Governments combined are taking baby steps to avert the climate crisis,” said UN climate change executive secretary Simon Stiell.
Some countries may be in a better position than others. An analysis from the Helsinki-based Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air found this week that China’s carbon dioxide emissions could start going into a “structural decline” as early as 2024, owing in part to record renewable energy installations.
What happens in China and the US, the world’s two largest emitters, will be crucial for meeting global climate goals.
Reuters
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