UNEP warns global emissions continue to rise, putting the 1.5°C target out of reach without urgent, coordinated action

A recent United Nations report warns that the world is on track to exceed the Paris Agreement’s warming goals, despite some progress made since last year. According to the report, global emissions rose 2.3 per cent in 2024, driven by major economies such as India, China, Russia and Indonesia.

The world is likely to breach the 1.5 degrees Celsius limit within the next decade, with warming projected to reach 2.3-2.5 degrees Celsius by 2100. If countries fail to implement their climate plans, warming could reach up to 2.8 degrees Celsius.

The report’s findings have significant implications for the upcoming COP30 climate summit in Brazil, where nations will be scrutinized for their climate failures. The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) emphasized the need for unprecedented emission cuts in an increasingly tight window, with an increasingly challenging geopolitical backdrop.

Key Findings:

Global Emissions: Rose 2.3 per cent in 2024, driven by India, China, Russia and Indonesia.

Projected Warming: 2.3-2.5 degrees Celsius by 2100, with a possible overshoot to 2.8 degrees Celsius.

Emissions Gap: The world needs to cut an additional 2 billion tons a year of carbon dioxide to make up for growing US carbon pollution.

Global Cooperation: The UNEP report highlights the need for accelerated action and cooperation among nations to minimize climate risks and damages.

The report also notes that the United States’ planned withdrawal from the Paris Agreement will further exacerbate the issue, adding about 0.1 degrees Celsius to the global temperature estimate. As the world grapples with the challenges of climate change, the need for collective action and cooperation has never been more pressing.