A new report just released by the UN gives some hope for reductions in global greenhouse emissions but doesn’t pull any punches when it comes to warning about future impacts.
The curve of global greenhouse gas emissions is turning downward. However, the combined climate pledges of 193 Parties under the Paris Agreement could still put the world on track for around 2.5 degrees Celsius of warming by the end of the century – against a goal of 1.5 degrees.
This year’s analysis shows that while emissions are no longer increasing after 2030, they are still not demonstrating the rapid downward trend science says is needed.
“The downward trend in emissions expected by 2030 shows that nations have made some progress this year,” said Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of UN Climate Change. “But we are still nowhere near the scale and pace of emission reductions required to put us on track toward a 1.5 degrees Celsius world.”
Current long-term strategies account for 80% of the world’s GDP, 50% of global population in 2019 and around 70% of total energy consumption – a strong signal that the world is starting to aim for net-zero emissions.
