As the world shifted from the pandemic lockdowns, countries committed to rebuilding their economies sustainably, with hopes of accelerating the transition to net-zero emissions. Contrarily, the surge in greenhouse gas emissions has intensified.
In 2023, global greenhouse gas emissions increased by 1.3 percent, reaching 57.1 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent. This rate is significantly higher than the pre-pandemic average growth of 0.8 percent per year from 2010 to 2019. Current emissions levels are alarmingly close to the 2019 peak of 59.1 gigatonnes.
A comprehensive report from the United Nations Global Environment Programme (UNEP) reveals that emissions across various sectors, excluding land use, are escalating as economies recover from the pandemic. Notably, emissions from road transport, pipeline leaks in the oil and gas sector, and industrial activities surged in 2023, with aviation emissions soaring by 19.5 percent.
The rising emissions underscore a diminishing window to avert catastrophic climate change. Inger Anderson from UNEP emphasized, “Climate crunch time is here. I urge every nation: no more hot air, please.”
Since the Paris Agreement in 2015, nations have vowed to limit global warming to as close to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels as feasible. However, current national targets fall short, projecting a potential rise in temperatures between 2.6°C and 2.8°C, a trend that has remained largely stagnant since 2022.
Countries are expected to present new national climate plans by February, in preparation for the COP30 climate conference in Brazil scheduled for November. These plans should outline their strategies for reducing emissions by 2035.
Anderson urged nations to come forward with more ambitious plans for immediate emissions reductions. While the 1.5°C goal remains technically achievable, its likelihood diminishes daily. “Even if the world overshoots 1.5°C – which is becoming increasingly probable – we must strive for a net-zero, sustainable, and prosperous future,” Anderson stated.
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