(24 October 2024) – Unprecedented levels of climate ambition and action are required over the next five years if the world is to limit global warming to 1.5oC, according to the UN Environment Programme’s Emissions Gap Report 2024.
The report shows that current government plans and the pace of implementation are predictedto result in devastating temperature increases of 2.6-3.1oC over the course of the next century. The report comes as countries are preparing to submit new national climate plans – Nationally Determined Contributions, or NDCs – over the next few months.
Stephanie Roe, WWF Global Climate and Energy Lead Scientist and UNEP Emission Gap Report Lead Author said: “This round of national climate plans is a critical moment for countries to enhance their 2030 ambition. If these plans, and their swift implementation, fall short, we will overshoot the 1.5°C limit. Beyond this threshold, the world faces considerably higher risks of crossing tipping points that could trigger irreversible damage to ecosystems and people’s lives and livelihoods. This year presents a critical window for decisive action.
“The good news is that we have the solutions. The report shows that the world has more than enough potential to close the emissions gap in 2030 and 2035, and that many of the solutions also support sustainable development, with improvements for air and water quality, more jobs and more biodiversity. There are also exciting trends well underway in various countries, including outpacing coal phaseout targets, and the rapid uptake of renewable energy and electric vehicles. These successes and other solutions need to be rapidly scaled up.”
Shirley Matheson, WWF Global NDC Enhancement Coordinator, said: “We need a quantum leap in climate action, in particular by the biggest emitters. The UN’s assessment is stark. Emissions are soaring, and government inaction has left our world in peril. But there is still a chance to change course. If governments act decisively and with urgency, we can still keep the narrow pathway to 1.5°C within reach. Countries must step up and present bold, revised climate plans for 2030 and 2035, that are fully aligned with 1.5°C, and move rapidly to implement them. These plans are an opportunity to reset climate action in line with what is needed to secure a safer, cleaner and more prosperous future for all.”
WWF’s blueprint for ambitious national climate plans calls on countries to include roadmaps for phasing out fossil fuels, transforming food systems, and halting and reversing nature loss. To keep global warming to no more than 1.5°C, global emissions need to be reduced by 43% by 2030, 60% by 2035 and reach net zero by 2050.
Significantly more climate finance will be essential to enable developing countries to deliver on their climate plans. At the UN climate conference COP29 in November, countries mustagree on a new climate finance target that meets the needs of developing countries and unlocks climate action at scale.
WWF’s COP29 Expectations paper is available here.
WWF’s NDCsWeWant Checklist, sets out what ambitious national climate plans should include.
CONTACT
WWF International climate comms team: cop29-comms@wwfint.org
Media updates: Sign up here for WWF’s daily COP29 newsletter ‘What’s Hot in Baku’ for updates on negotiations and news from WWF throughout the summit.
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