UN Warns of Severe Consequences for Climate Inaction Ahead of COP29

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has warned that the world is facing severe repercussions from climate inaction, potentially leading to a temperature increase of over 3 degrees Celsius by 2100 if no changes are made. A recent report indicates that current emissions policies are insufficient, with the G20 nations responsible for the majority of global emissions. Prompt action is needed to mitigate these developments ahead of the COP29 summit.

In a cautionary message delivered ahead of the upcoming COP29 summit, UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized the dire consequences of inaction on climate change. According to a recent United Nations report, failure to alter current climate policies may lead to an alarming increase in global temperatures exceeding 3 degrees Celsius (5.4 degrees Fahrenheit) by century’s end, a significant deviation from the 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) target outlined in the Paris Agreement nearly eight years ago. The annual Emissions Gap Report delineates the deficiencies between pledged government actions to combat climate change and the measures required to mitigate its effects. It warns that, without decisive interventions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, global warming could rise by as much as 3.1 degrees Celsius (5.6 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels by 2100. Guterres underlined the urgency by stating, “We are teetering on a planetary tightrope. Either leaders bridge the emissions gap, or we plunge headlong into climate disaster.” The report also revealed a 1.3 percent increase in global greenhouse gas emissions from 2022 to 2023, resulting in a new high of 57.1 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions. As global conferences approach, the emphasis remains on enhancing individual Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to comply with the Paris Agreement and to mitigate the increasingly evident consequences of climate change impacting the world’s vulnerable populations. The findings suggest that an urgent collective reduction of 42 percent in annual emissions by 2030 is critical to preserve the possibility of keeping warming within safe limits. Underlining the responsibility of major economies, Guterres noted that the G20 nations are accountable for nearly 80 percent of global emissions, indicating a pressing need for these countries to exhibit heightened commitment to climate action. In the face of a climate crisis marked by extreme weather events and significant hardship for the world’s poorest, the call for committed action has never been more apparent.

The ongoing climate crisis poses an existential threat, with scientific consensus emphasizing the catastrophic consequences of unchecked global warming. The Paris Agreement, established in 2015, aimed to limit global temperature rise to well below 2 degrees Celsius, ideally to 1.5 degrees Celsius. However, current trajectories suggest a significant and dangerous overshoot of this goal, exacerbated by insufficient political will and action among major economies—the G20 specifically being highlighted as responsible for a substantial majority of global emissions. The upcoming COP29 represents an essential moment for renewed commitment and action among nations to address these escalating concerns appropriately.

The stark warnings delivered by UN Secretary-General António Guterres highlight the precarious position of global climate policies and emphasize the urgent need for decisive action. With current trends leading to a possible rise in global temperatures over 3 degrees Celsius by the end of this century, the onus lies particularly on the world’s largest economies to enhance their climate commitments. The upcoming conference presents a vital opportunity for nations to reaffirm their dedication to sustainable practices and to combat the looming consequences of climate change through collaborative efforts.

Original Source: www.aljazeera.com