[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suhwan] The United Nations has warned that the international community is unlikely to achieve the original goal of limiting the temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, and that a global climate catastrophe could occur. Consequently, there are calls for countries to significantly raise their carbon reduction targets compared to previous plans.
On the 26th (local time), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), a UN agency, stated in its "Emissions Gap Report 2021" released that day, "When aggregating the carbon reduction plans announced by countries so far, the temperature is expected to rise by 2.7 degrees Celsius within the 21st century."
The report added, "This figure exceeds the 1.5-degree limit agreed upon during the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement," and "It will bring about catastrophic changes to the Earth's climate."
"To prevent a climate catastrophe, temperature rise must be limited to 1.5 degrees"
UNEP stated in the report, "To limit the temperature rise to 1.5 degrees during this century, the international community must reduce greenhouse gas emissions by half over the next eight years," but expressed concern that "most countries are postponing their carbon reduction plans until after 2030."
UN Secretary-General Ant?nio Guterres described the report released that day as "a wake-up call for us," and evaluated that "the scenario of a 2.7-degree temperature rise within this century is a climate catastrophe."
The report released by UNEP on this day was issued ahead of the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26), scheduled to be held in Glasgow, UK, starting on the 31st.
Earlier, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) also released a report warning of rapid climate change, stating that "greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere reached record highs last year."
UNEP: "Countries must raise carbon reduction targets sevenfold compared to existing plans"
UNEP's release of the report ahead of COP26 is interpreted as urging countries to take more active measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at the upcoming COP26 talks.
An important issue to be discussed at this meeting is the "2030 Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)" that each party will submit. According to the 2015 Paris Agreement, COP26 parties must submit NDCs to the UN every five years to review and evaluate the achievement of carbon reduction targets.
UNEP stated in the report released that day that the international community must reduce greenhouse gases by 55% more by 2030 compared to the carbon reduction plans submitted five years ago.
However, even when aggregating the NDCs submitted so far, it is reported that greenhouse gas emissions will only be reduced by 7.5% by 2030.
UNEP argued that to achieve the original goal, countries must raise their greenhouse gas reduction targets sevenfold compared to existing plans.
In response, Inger Andersen, UNEP Executive Director, warned, "Time is running out quickly."
"Countries' carbon neutrality plans are vague... Stimulus budgets should also be invested in the green economy"
UNEP also criticized that most of the carbon neutrality goals announced by countries are vague. While many countries have stated they will undertake large-scale carbon reductions starting in 2030, their goals of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 are considered unrealistic.
Before UNEP's report release, UN Secretary-General Guterres said, "The emissions gap is due to the failure of leadership by countries," but added, "However, world leaders have sufficient means to move toward a safer future at this critical juncture, which could otherwise lead to a climate catastrophe."
UNEP proposed solutions to address the carbon emissions gap, stating, "Reducing methane emissions from fossil fuels, waste, and agriculture can reduce the greenhouse gas emissions gap," and "A carbon emissions trading market with guaranteed transparency and clear rules will further reduce greenhouse gas emissions."
UNEP also pointed out that only 20% of the stimulus budgets implemented since the COVID-19 pandemic are being invested in renewable energy and the green economy.
Brian O'Callaghan, Oxford University's Economic Recovery Project Manager who participated in preparing this report, emphasized, "The large-scale budgets invested in economic recovery represent a once-in-a-generation opportunity to invest in low-carbon technologies."
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