The United Nations announced that current global pledges to reduce greenhouse gas emissions fall considerably short of what scientists deem necessary to avert the most severe consequences of climate change. According to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the “nationally determined contributions” (NDCs) submitted by countries would reduce global emissions by just 2.6% from 2019 levels by 2030. This is a slight increase from last year's 2% projection but remains far from the 43% reduction needed to keep global temperature rise within 1.5 degrees Celsius, the target outlined in the Paris Agreement.
UNFCCC Secretary-General Simon Stiell urged that these findings should serve as a “turning point,” with new, strengthened NDCs due in February 2025. Stiell emphasized the urgency, stating, “Current national climate plans fall miles short of what's needed to stop global heating from crippling every economy and wrecking billions of lives and livelihoods across every country.”
The upcoming COP29 summit in Baku will see nearly 200 nations negotiate a new global emissions trading system and a $100 billion annual fund to help developing nations reach their climate targets. Persuading nations to adopt more ambitious pledges remains a challenge, particularly as some view the NDC process as a “negotiating mechanism” to secure more financial support, noted Pablo Vieira, global director of the NDC Partnership.
The UN's World Meteorological Organization (WMO) released its own report on Monday, stating that atmospheric greenhouse gas levels are increasing faster than at any point in human history. Carbon dioxide concentrations reached a new high of 420 parts per million last year, a jump of 2.3 ppm from the previous year, marking an 11.4% increase over two decades. WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo warned that rising CO₂ levels, now 51% above pre-industrial concentrations, signal a need for urgent action. “Every part per million and every fraction of a degree temperature increase has a real impact on our lives and our planet,” Saulo stated.
The COP29 talks are expected to address the necessity of making new climate commitments “investable,” ensuring they attract both public and private funding for implementation.
