URGENT UPDATE: The world is on track to breach the 1.5C climate change target within the next decade, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) warns in its latest Emissions Gap report. This significant finding highlights the urgent need for immediate action to mitigate the catastrophic effects of climate change, as countries struggle to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The report indicates that current global efforts are insufficient, revealing that if nations fulfill their latest emissions reduction pledges, the planet will face a daunting 2.3-2.5C increase in temperatures. This alarming projection is a stark reminder of the consequences of inaction, as it falls short of the Paris Agreement goal of limiting temperature rise to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels.
Lead author Anne Olhoff emphasizes the critical nature of deep emissions cuts now, stating, “We can no longer totally avoid” exceeding this vital threshold. The window for effective intervention is closing rapidly. The UNEP stresses that reversing the overshoot will require “faster and bigger additional reductions” in emissions.
The urgency of these findings comes ahead of the COP30 climate summit this month, where world leaders will discuss strategies to accelerate climate action and secure financing for meaningful change. The report also highlights that current policies, if left unchanged, will result in an even more alarming temperature rise of approximately 2.8C.
While there has been some progress in emissions reduction over the past decade—down from a projected 4C rise when the Paris Agreement was signed—the global emissions of greenhouse gases surged by 2.3% in 2024, reaching a staggering 57.7 gigatonnes of CO2 equivalent. This ongoing increase largely stems from the continued reliance on coal, oil, and gas to fuel economic growth.
The implications of exceeding the 1.5C target are dire. Should temperatures rise to 2C, the percentage of the population exposed to extreme heat will more than double compared to the impact of a 1.5C rise. Additionally, coral reefs face devastating losses, with projections estimating that 70% of reefs will perish at 1.5C, escalating to 99% at 2C.
As the world grapples with these alarming projections, the question remains: what will be done to avert this crisis? The upcoming discussions at COP30 will be crucial in determining the global response to this pressing challenge.
Stay tuned for further updates as this developing story unfolds. The need for action has never been more immediate—our planet’s future hangs in the balance.
