The world needs to cut a further quarter off predicted 2030 global greenhouse gas emissions, if it is to have a chance of meeting climate goals in the Paris Agreement, according to a UN Environment Programme (UNEP) report.
In its annual ‘Emissions Gap’ report, UNEP said 2030 emissions are expected to reach 54bn to 56bn tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, well above the 42bn needed to have a chance of limiting the global temperature increase to no more than 2 degrees Celsius.
The Paris Agreement committed the world to trying to limit climate change to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.
UNEP said the predicted 2030 emissions will, even if the Paris pledges are fully implemented, place the world on track for a temperature rise of 2.9 Celsius to 3.4 Celsius degrees this century.
“Waiting to increase ambition would likely lose the chance to meet the 1.5 degrees C target, increase carbon-intensive technology lock-in and raise the cost of a global transition to low emissions,” UNEP said.
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Greater GHG cuts ‘needed’
UNEP report says world on track for up to 3.4 degree C temperature rise
By EBS