UNEP warns that unless global greenhouse gas emissions fall by 7.6% each year between 2020 and 2030, the world will miss the opportunity to get on track towards the 1.5°C temperature goal of the Paris Agreement. Technologies and policy knowledge exist to cut emissions, but transformations must begin now.
“For ten years, the Emissions Gap Report has been sounding the alarm – and for ten years, the world has only increased its emissions,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres. “There has never been a more important time to listen to the science. Failure to heed these warnings and take drastic action to reverse emissions means we will continue to witness deadly and catastrophic heatwaves, storms and pollution.”
“Countries simply cannot wait until the end of 2020, when new climate commitments are due, to step up action”, said Inger Andersen, UNEP’s Executive Director. “They – and every city, region, business and individual – need to act now. If we don’t do this, the 1.5°C goal will be out of reach before 2030.”
