-We’re almost running out of time- The temperature may rise by 3.1℃ by the end of the century. The United Nations warns about reducing emissions._1

In a recent warning from the United Nations, it was highlighted that current climate policies across nations could lead to a global temperature rise of more than 3°C by the end of this century, compared to pre-industrial levels. This alarming projection exceeds the targets set by the Paris Agreement by more than double. UN officials caution that the window of opportunity to meet these objectives is rapidly closing, urging that “we are running out of time.”

On October 24, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) released its annual “2024 Emissions Gap Report,” which summarizes the commitments countries have made in response to climate change and compares them to the measures that need to be taken. The report warns that without intensified carbon reduction efforts, the global temperature could increase by 3.1°C above pre-industrial levels by 2100, a rise described as “catastrophic.”

In contrast, the Paris Agreement signed by countries in 2015 aims to limit temperature increases to 1.5°C. UN Secretary-General António Guterres stated, “If country leaders do not close the carbon emissions gap, we are heading towards climate disaster.” Currently, global temperatures are approximately 1.3°C higher than they were before industrialization.

The report notes a 1.3% increase in global greenhouse gas emissions from 2022 to 2023, reaching a record high of 57.1 billion metric tons of CO2 equivalent. If the current commitments hold, global temperatures are expected to rise between 2.6°C and 2.8°C by 2100. However, when evaluating progress toward the 2030 targets, particularly among G20 nations, many countries have not made significant strides toward achieving their climate goals.

Released during the 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP16) in Colombia, the report estimates that nations must collectively commit to annual greenhouse gas reductions of 42% by 2030 and increase that to 57% by 2035.

Nations will gather on November 11 in Baku, Azerbaijan, for the 29th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), where they will build on last year’s agreement to phase out fossil fuels and push for more decisive action.