A recent UN report reveals that global greenhouse gas emissions reached a record high of 57.1 gigatons in 2023, following an increase of 1.3% from the previous year. As the World Climate Conference approaches, the UN urges industrialized nations to intensify their efforts to combat climate change, warning that current measures could lead to a catastrophic temperature rise of over 3 degrees Celsius. Urgent action is imperative to close the emissions gap and mitigate disastrous impacts on vulnerable regions.
Global greenhouse gas emissions reached an unprecedented level last year, according to a recent UN report, urging enhanced action against climate change as the World Climate Conference approaches.
The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) reports that worldwide greenhouse gas emissions hit 57.1 gigatons of carbon dioxide in 2023, marking a new record. This follows a previous peak from 2021 to 2022, with an emissions growth of 1.2 percent, which has now escalated by another 1.3 percent from 2022 to 2023, as highlighted in the Emissions Gap Report.
In the decade prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, emissions rose at an average rate of just 0.8 percent annually.
This year, carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels are again at all-time highs.
Key Contributors: Energy and Transport Sectors
As in previous years, the energy sector produced the majority of emissions, accounting for 26 percent, particularly through electricity generation. The transportation sector followed with a 15 percent share, while agriculture and industry both contributed 11 percent each.
The annual review, released before the COP29 World Climate Conference, examines the disparity between expected future greenhouse gas emissions and the targets needed to meet the Paris Agreement goals. The accumulation of greenhouse gases, especially carbon dioxide, is a primary driver of global temperature increases.
Consequences of global warming include more frequent and severe weather events such as heatwaves, droughts, storms, and flooding, potentially rendering certain areas uninhabitable and exacerbating food scarcity. Rising sea levels also pose threats to coastal communities and small island nations.
Climate change is resulting in increased heavy rainfall and floods.
Urgent Action Needed
In response, the United Nations is calling for immediate and intensified efforts to tackle climate change. UNEP emphasizes the responsibility of leading industrial nations, which are the largest contributors to carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions. ‘We require unprecedented global mobilization at an unmatched pace,’ stresses UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen.
The report warns that to restrict global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, countries must collectively pledge to reduce annual greenhouse gas emissions by 42 percent by 2030 and 57 percent by 2035, relative to 2019 levels. Current commitments fall significantly short of these targets.
The Philippines are reported to be among the most affected regarding economic impact.
Heating Trajectory: Over Three Degrees?
The current strategies implemented by nations to cut greenhouse gas emissions could lead to a catastrophic warming of 3.1 degrees Celsius this century compared to pre-industrial levels. Even with full adherence to existing emission reduction pledges, the rise would still reach 2.6 degrees.
This report comes less than a month before the COP29 in Azerbaijan, outlining potential irreversible consequences, including collapsing ice sheets, uncontrollable sea level rises, and increased extreme weather events.
‘We are playing with fire, and time is running out,’ warns UN Secretary-General António Guterres. ‘Heads of state must address the emissions gap or risk plunging into a climate disaster that disproportionately affects the most vulnerable.’ He emphasizes that the world’s population is already bearing the high costs of inaction.
Humanitarian organizations are raising alarms over a crisis that demands urgent intervention.
G20 Nations Face Significant Responsibility
To meet the global reduction targets proposed by UNEP, G20 countries must undertake significant efforts, excluding the African Union, says Andersen. The title of the UNEP report, ‘No More Hot Air, Please,’ conveys a critical message: its time for substantial action over mere rhetoric.
As COP29 approaches in Baku, Azerbaijan, the report urges G20 nations to step up their commitments toward emissions reduction. In 2023, members of the G20 (excluding the African Union) were accountable for 77 percent of emissions; including the African Union raises this figure to 82 percent, highlighting the need for differentiated responsibilities among nations.
The disparity in per capita emissions across countries is stark: Russia reported 19 tons, the USA 18 tons, China 11 tons, while EU nations averaged 7.3 tons. In contrast, the 55 countries in the African Union had a combined per capita emissions value of just 2.2 tons, with the 47 least developed countries at only 1.5 tons.
Carbon dioxide equivalent is utilized to gauge the climate impact of various greenhouse gases against carbon dioxide.
To curb global warming,