Global climate action plans ‘missing by miles’, UN warns | Science, climate and technology news

The United Nations has warned that global climate action plans are “falling short” of what is needed to stop climate change from “crippling” the economy.

Current national climate plans submitted by 168 countries to the UN call for global greenhouse gas emissions in 2030 to be just 2.6% lower than in 2019, according to a new report.

This marks only “slight progress” from the same annual Synthesis report last year, which forecast emissions in 2030 to be 2.0% lower than in 2019.

And that’s “only part” of what’s “urgently needed,” the report says, given emissions need to fall by 43% by 2030 to prevent the worst effects of global warming. climate changeAs recommended by the UN body on climate science, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

UN climate change chief Simon Still said: “The report’s findings are stark but not surprising: current national climate plans fall far short of what is needed to stop global warming from damaging every economy and destroying billions of lives and livelihoods in all. countries.”

“Far bolder new national climate plans would not only prevent climate chaos,” he said, but could also “stimulate stronger investment, economic growth and opportunity, more jobs, less pollution, better health and lower costs, safer and more affordable clean energy.” among many other benefits.

Updated climate plans, known as Nationally Determined Contributions or NDCs, are due next year and will outline actions up to 2035.

The UK government has promised to present its new plan in November at the UN climate summit COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan.

The country’s climate advisers warned on Saturday that the new NDC must commit to cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 81% in 2035, compared with 1990 levels.

The UK, the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution, is historically the largest emitter. Its emissions have peaked and are now falling.

Global emissions are expected to peak before 2030.

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