The world is way off course to decrease global warming, the United Nations warned on Friday, urging for more action to phase out fossil fuels and achieve the 2015 Paris climate agreement goals.
“The Paris Agreement has driven near-universal climate action by setting goals and sending signals to the world regarding the urgency of responding to the climate crisis,” the UN said in its first Global Stocktake Report. “While action is proceeding, much more is needed now on all fronts.”
“The window of opportunity to secure a livable and sustainable for future for all is rapidly closing,” it added.
The report, the result of a two-year evaluation of the Paris goals, will form the basis of the COP28 climate talks in Dubai later this year.
Nearly 200 countries agreed during the 2015 Paris summit to limit global warming to no more than 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. They also pledged to strive to limit the increase to 1.5 C.
In the report, the UN warned that the existing pledges to cut emissions caused by the burning of fossil fuels were insufficient to curb global warming. It added that over 20 gigatons of further carbon emission reductions were needed this decade.
It stressed the importance of committing to phase out fossil fuels, urging countries to cut coal use by 67-92% by 2030.
The UN also called for setting 2030 targets for expanding renewable energy, and ensuring that the financial system can fund climate action and support adaptation and damage.
