UN Secretary-General António Guterres today called for “astonishing measures” to be taken immediately to prevent further global warming, as the planet heads towards a temperature rise of 2.9 degrees Celsius.
Speaking during the presentation of the latest report by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP, in its original acronym), António Guterres saw the gap between countries’ commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and the need to respect the goals of the Paris Agreement, as a “failure of leadership, a betrayal of those who are vulnerable and a huge missed opportunity.” “.
According to the report presented today, under current measures, the planet is heading towards a temperature increase of between 2.5°C and 2.9°C by the end of the century.
In the Paris Agreement, reached in 2015, countries committed to taking measures to prevent global warming from exceeding 2 degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial times, preferably 1.5 degrees Celsius. Since then, the 1.5°C target has never been abandoned at UN summits.
The UN report highlights that greenhouse gas emissions have reached new highs, record temperatures persist and climate impacts are becoming more severe.
Experts warn that temperature increases along this path will be much higher than assumed, meaning countries need to do much more than they promise.
In recognition of the progress made since the signing of the Paris Agreement, the report’s authors stress that gas emissions forecasts for 2030 must fall by 28%, with a temperature increase of 2 degrees Celsius, and decrease by 42% if that is the target. Prevent a rise of more than 1.5°C.
In the current situation, and with the implementation of each country’s commitments, or so-called “nationally determined contributions”, to reduce emissions, the world is heading towards an increase in temperatures that may reach 2.9 degrees Celsius, or at least 2.5 degrees Celsius.
The document calls on countries to accelerate transitions towards development with low greenhouse gas emissions, and asks the richest countries and largest emitters to take more ambitious measures and support developing countries.
When presenting the document, António Guterres said that it is necessary to triple alternative energy sources and provide clean energy to all.
The UN report is being published a few days before the start of the 28th UN Climate Summit (COP28), which will be held in Dubai from November 30 to December 12.
