The UN Climate Change News from November 14, 2023, highlights the findings of a report indicating that national climate action plans are insufficient to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 °C and meet the goals of the Paris Agreement. Despite increased efforts by some countries, more action is needed to significantly reduce emissions and avoid the worst impacts of climate change.
Key points from the report include:
- Insufficient Action: Governments worldwide are taking incremental steps to address the climate crisis, but more ambitious measures are necessary.
- Importance of COP28: The upcoming COP28 in Dubai is emphasized as a crucial turning point where nations must agree on stronger climate actions and demonstrate how they will be implemented.
- Global Stocktake: The first global stocktake at COP28 will inform the next round of climate action plans (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement, paving the way for accelerated action.
- Emissions Reduction Targets: The latest science from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change stresses the need to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 43% by 2030 compared to 2019 levels to limit temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
- Current Progress: While emissions are projected to decrease slightly by 2030, they are still not on a rapid downward trend as required by science.
- Long-term Strategies: A second report on long-term low-emission development strategies indicates that countries’ greenhouse gas emissions could be significantly lower by 2050 if these strategies are fully implemented.
- COP28 Goals: COP28 aims to be a historic turning point where Parties commit to raising their ambition to meet the Paris Agreement targets, including keeping the global temperature increase below 1.5 degrees Celsius.
The COP28 conference, scheduled for November 30 to December 12 in Dubai, will provide an opportunity for nations to unite and deliver outcomes that address the urgent climate crisis.
