Paris: A new UN analysis reveals that global emissions are far off track to meet the 1.5°C warming limit, a target set to avoid the most severe consequences of climate change.
Despite pledges from nations, total CO2 emissions in 2030 are projected to be only 2.6% lower than 2019 levels. To align with the 1.5°C goal, emissions would need to plummet by 43% over the same period.
The UN’s World Meteorological Organization (WMO) also released a sobering report, confirming that greenhouse gas concentrations reached record highs in 2023. CO2 levels are rising faster than ever, increasing by more than 10% in just two decades.
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These alarming findings come as nations prepare for the upcoming COP29 climate summit in Azerbaijan. The UN Climate Change chief, Simon Stiell, urged countries to take “bolder” action to slash emissions and avoid a “human and economic trainwreck.”
The 2015 Paris Agreement aimed to limit global warming to “well below” 2°C, ideally 1.5°C. However, current national commitments fall far short of this goal. Scientists warn that exceeding the 1.5°C threshold could lead to catastrophic consequences, including more frequent and intense heatwaves, droughts, floods, and rising sea levels.
