Countries Need ’Quantum Leap in Ambition’ to Meet Climate Goals, warns UN Environment Programme
The UN Environment Programme’s (UNEP) 15th Emissions Gap Report 2024 is sounding alarms about the world’s faltering efforts to limit global temperature increases to 1.5°C (2.7°F) in the next decade, as declared by the Paris Agreement. Instead, current policies have led to record high greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in 2023, UNEP said in its new report, which is called, “No more hot air…please!” and urges redoubled efforts to meet GHG goals.
Total global GHG emissions in 2023 were 57.1 gigatons of carbon dioxide-equivalent (GtCO2e). This was a 1.3% increase from 2022.
From this total, the power sector (such as electricity production) was the highest contributor at 15.1 GtCO2e (26%). This was followed by transport (8.4 GtCO2e or 15%), agriculture (6.5 GtCO2e or 11%), and industry (6.5 GtCO2e or 11%).
In terms of countries, China was the highest contributor of GHG emissions at 16,000 MtCO2e (megatons of carbon dioxide-equivalent or 30% of the total). The US was second, with 5,970 MtCO2e or 11%, and India at 4,140 MtCO2e or 8%.
In terms of regions, the G20 (excluding African Union) contributed 40,900 MtCO2e or 77% of the total. In contrast, the African Union (55 countries) added just 3,190 MtCO2e or 6% while the EU had slightly more emissions at 3,230 MtCO2e, also 6% of the total.
Nations should “collectively commit” to cutting 42% of annual GHG emissions by 2030 and 57% by 2035, and “back this up with rapid action,” said the UNEP report, which called for “a quantum leap in ambition” and “accelerated mitigation action in this decade.”
Source:
United Nations Environment Programme (2024). “Emissions Gap Report 2024: No more hot air … please! With a massive gap between rhetoric and reality, countries draft new climate commitments.” Nairobi. https://doi.org/10.59117/20.500.11822/46404
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