Global Warming Warning: Urging Nations to Cut Emissions Now

“Last year brought both successes and disappointments in global efforts to tackle the triple planetary crisis,” said UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen.

In her introduction to the latest Annual Report, UNEP Executive Director reflected on the mixed outcomes of last year regarding global efforts to address the pressing environmental crisis. She emphasized that ongoing geopolitical tensions are creating barriers to effective environmental cooperation.

“Dealing with environmental issues can be complicated and challenging,” Andersen stated. “Yet, even amid these complicated geopolitical circumstances, working together across borders and overcoming our differences is essential for safeguarding our planet—the very foundation of human existence.”

Urgent Climate Action Needed

The UNEP’s Emissions Gap Report 2024 highlighted the urgent need for countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 42% by 2030 to meet the 1.5°C temperature goal established in the Paris Agreement. Without significant cuts, global temperatures could rise anywhere from 2.6°C to 3.1°C this century, leading to disastrous outcomes.

The Paris Agreement is a legally binding international treaty on climate change, adopted by 196 Parties at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP21) in Paris on December 12, 2015, and entering into force on November 4, 2016. Its primary objective is to limit the increase in global average temperature to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, while pursuing efforts to restrict the rise to 1.5°C. World leaders emphasize the importance of the 1.5°C limit due to potential severe climate impacts, as indicated by the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

To achieve this goal, greenhouse gas emissions must peak before 2025 and be reduced by 43% by 2030. The Paris Agreement is significant because it represents the first binding commitment that unites all nations in the collective effort to combat climate change and adapt to its consequences.

The agency is collaborating with over 60 developing countries to speed up the transition to electric vehicles, as part of a broader initiative to lower emissions from transportation. Notable national projects contributing to these efforts include Antigua and Barbuda’s investment in electric buses and Kenya’s new legislation aimed at promoting electric motorcycles and public transportation.

Combating Plastic Pollution

Another significant area of focus is plastic pollution, which poses a serious threat to the environment. International discussions are ongoing to reach a legally binding agreement to combat this issue. In Busan last year, 29 out of 32 sections of the proposed global plastic treaty were successfully negotiated, although work continues on finalizing the details.

Andersen urged nations to set aside their differences and reach a consensus ahead of the next negotiation round. “It is crucial for countries to come together and establish a strong agreement to tackle plastic pollution before the upcoming UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-7) in December,” she stated.

A Call for Stronger Commitments

Andersen called for more ambitious commitments from countries, especially as they prepare to submit updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) aimed at limiting global warming later this month. “We are not out of danger yet,” she warned.

“Global temperatures continue to rise, ecosystems are disappearing, and pollution poses a serious threat to our health. These challenges require collaborative global solutions. It is vital for the world to unite in building a more just and sustainable future.”

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has undertaken several measures to address the global environmental crisis and combat issues such as climate change and plastic pollution. Here are some of the key actions already initiated:

• Emissions Gap Report: UNEP publishes an annual Emissions Gap Report, which assesses the difference between current climate pledges by countries and what is necessary to meet global warming targets, like the 1.5°C goal of the Paris Agreement. This report highlights the need for urgent action and provides recommendations for countries.
• Collaboration with Developing Countries: UNEP is actively working with over 60 low- and middle-income countries to help them transition to electric vehicles and reduce emissions from the transportation sector. This collaboration includes providing technical assistance and sharing best practices.
• Support for Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs): The agency encourages countries to set and meet ambitious NDCs, which are their commitments under the Paris Agreement to limit greenhouse gas emissions. UNEP provides guidance and support for countries in meeting these goals.
• Plastic Pollution Treaty Negotiations: UNEP is at the forefront of international efforts to negotiate a legally binding treaty to combat plastic pollution. In recent discussions, significant progress has been made, with agreements reached on many articles of a potential global treaty.
• Promotion of Sustainable Solutions: UNEP supports various sustainable practices and projects around the world, such as Antigua and Barbuda’s electric buses and Kenya’s legislation for electric motorcycles and public transport. These national initiatives are aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and encouraging green technology.
• Awareness and Advocacy Campaigns: UNEP actively engages in awareness campaigns about environmental issues, emphasizing the importance of collective action and environmental responsibility among nations, businesses, and individuals.
• Research and Monitoring: UNEP conducts extensive research and monitoring of environmental issues, providing critical data and insights that inform policy decisions and strategies for addressing climate change and environmental degradation.
• Partnerships and Initiatives: UNEP collaborates with various stakeholders, including governments, NGOs, and the private sector, to foster partnerships aimed at promoting environmental sustainability and addressing urgent global challenges.

Through these measures, UNEP aims to facilitate international cooperation, support sustainable practices, and develop comprehensive solutions to the environmental challenges facing the world today.

In conclusion, as the challenges posed by climate change and environmental degradation intensify, the need for global unity and resolute action has never been more critical. Inger Andersen’s reflections underscore the importance of overcoming geopolitical barriers to forge cooperative strategies that can effectively address these pressing issues. The urgent goals set forth in the UNEP’s Emissions Gap Report serve as a clarion call for countries to enhance their commitments and collaborative efforts. By working together, not only in reducing greenhouse gas emissions but also in combating plastic pollution, the global community can pave the way for a sustainable and resilient future that prioritizes the health of our planet and its inhabitants. It is imperative that nations heed this call and act decisively, as the time for transformation is now. Only through collective action can we hope to protect the Earth’s ecosystems and secure a livable world for future generations.

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Suparna Rao, Staff Reporter