If this is not sad, it will be funny, indeed. In the face of COP27 which will hold in November in Egypt, we found that if countries fulfill their current climate commitments, global greenhouse gas emissions will rise by 10.6% by 2030 compared to 2010 levels. And this is not a bad joke. This is according to the data from a United Nations report released last Wednesday.
According to the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, a 43% reduction in emissions by 2030 is required to limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.
With world leaders expected to gather in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, on November 6 for the COP27 climate summit, experts say more action is urgently needed.
There were a lot of promises in Glasgow
All countries agreed to revisit and strengthen their climate plans at the UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow last year. This is a reminder by Simon Stiell, executive secretary of UN Climate Change, who stated before new climate talks. He adds that it is disappointing that only 24 new or updated climate plans have been submitted since COP26. Well… it is.
Bolivia, Vanuatu, and Uganda are among them, as are the major emitters India and Indonesia. The latter, whose primary sources of emissions are deforestation and peatland clearance, now claims it will reduce emissions by at least 31.89% by 2030.
Inadequate pledges globally put the world on track to warm by 2.5 degrees Celsius by 2100.
10.6% increase in emissions suppose to be a progress
Nonetheless, a 10.6% increase in emissions represents marginal progress. Suppose it can be considered as progress, with very much goodwill and hope. According to last year’s UN assessment, countries are on track to increase emissions by 13.7% by 2030.
So, let’s remind ourselves what has to be done. These are commitments made at COP26:
- Secure global net zero by mid-century and keep 1.5 degrees within reach. Countries should come forward with ambitious 2030 emissions reduction targets that align with reaching net zero by the middle of the century.
- Adapt to protect communities and natural habitats.
- Mobilize at least $100bn in climate finance per year.
- Work together to deliver; finalize the Paris Rulebook and accelerate action to tackle the climate crisis through.
Of this above-mentioned what is accomplished in the meantime, you may read in your local newspapers.