According to a new UNEP report, the agency has warned that urgent global action is essential to close the emissions gap and prevent surpassing the 1.5°C climate target.
Nations must dramatically scale up their climate commitments to avoid surpassing the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C target, according to a new report from the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). The Emissions Gap Report 2024 stresses that without immediate action, current policies will lead to a catastrophic global temperature rise of up to 3.1°C by the end of this century.
UNEP’s analysis indicates that despite current pledges, warming is expected to reach 2.6-2.8°C by 2100, far exceeding safe levels for people, ecosystems, and economies. To keep the 1.5°C target within reach, nations must reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 42% by 2030 and 57% by 2035.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres called the findings a stark warning, urging global leaders to act before time runs out. “Today’s report is clear: we’re playing with fire,” he said, adding that closing the emissions gap also requires addressing financial and implementation gaps.
UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen urged leaders to use COP29 in Baku as a catalyst for ambitious new commitments. She cautioned that overshooting the 1.5°C target is increasingly likely but insisted that reducing warming remains essential for limiting climate damage. The report advocates for scaling renewable energy, improving energy efficiency, transitioning from fossil fuels, and protecting ecosystems as urgent steps to bridge the emissions gap.
The report underscores that the world’s largest emitters, particularly the G20, bear significant responsibility and must lead the charge toward climate goals. Although the addition of the African Union to the G20 represents progress, UNEP highlights the need for differentiated responsibilities and increased climate financing to ensure fair progress globally.
With climate risks intensifying, UNEP’s report warns that the consequences of delayed action could push the planet past critical tipping points.
