The world is now using recklessly the opportunity to “build back better” from the Covid-19 pandemic. It faces disastrous temperature rises of at least 2.7C if countries fail to strengthen their climate pledges. The new UN report was published.
- The recent publication warns that countries’ current pledges would reduce carbon by only about 7.5% by 2030, far less than the 45% cut scientists say is needed to limit global temperature rises to 1.5C. The aim of the COP26 summit that opens in Glasgow this Sunday.
- The UN secretary-general, António Guterres explained the findings as a “thundering wake-up call” to world leaders. Experts called for drastic action against fossil fuel companies. António Guterres told,
“Less than one week before COP26 in Glasgow, we are still on track for climate catastrophe, even with the last announcements that were made. The 2021 Emissions Gap Report shows that with the present nationally determined contributions and other firm commitments of countries around the world, we are indeed on track for a catastrophic global temperature rise of around 2.7 degrees Celsius. Now, even if the announcements of the last few days will materialize, we would still be on track to clear more than 2 degrees Celsius.”
- Although more than 100 countries have promised to reach net-zero emissions around mid-century, this would not be enough to stave off climate disaster, according to the UN emissions report. It examines the shortfall between countries’ intentions and actions needed on the climate.
Many of the net-zero pledges were found to be vague, and unless accompanied by stringent cuts in emissions this decade would allow global heating to a potentially catastrophic extent.