U.N. Report Highlights Continued Shortcomings in Climate Change Mitigation
The report from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change underscores the pressing need for immediate and substantial action to combat climate change. The forthcoming COP28 summit, slated for December, becomes a critical juncture where nations must intensify their efforts to mitigate global warming and the attendant consequences, including more frequent and severe heatwaves, droughts, and storms.
To avert the catastrophic effects of surpassing the 1.5-degree Celsius threshold, the report delineates specific targets. Emissions must decrease by 43 percent by 2030 and by a more substantial 60 percent by 2035 compared to 2019 levels. The ultimate objective is achieving net-zero carbon dioxide emissions by 2050, implying that any remaining emissions must be offset through natural processes or advanced human-made technology.
Although there has been some advancement since the signing of the Paris Agreement in 2015, when the world was on course for a troubling 3 degrees Celsius of warming, global emissions continue to escalate. The report acknowledges the commendable expansion of renewable energy sources, which could significantly contribute to the emissions reductions necessary for attaining net-zero goals. However, it highlights the persistent challenge posed by coal emissions, which require a substantial reduction to align with climate objectives.
COP28’s Critical Role: Evaluating Climate Progress and Supporting Vulnerable Nations
The upcoming COP28 summit will feature a crucial “stocktake” process, evaluating countries’ progress in meeting climate targets. Additionally, discussions will revolve around assisting vulnerable nations grappling with climate change impacts. These nations, having made comparatively minor contributions to global emissions, advocate for compensation to address the damages and losses they endure as a result of increasingly frequent and severe storms and floods. The report underscores the gravity of the situation and the imperative for global cooperation in the fight against climate change.
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Source: NPR
