- The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has recently published the Emissions Gap Report 2023, titled “Broken Record – Temperatures hit new highs, yet world fails to cut emissions (again).”
- The report underscores the critical need for urgent climate action to avert the alarming trajectory of temperature rise.
- This marks the 14th edition in a series where leading climate scientists worldwide collaborate to examine upcoming patterns in greenhouse gas emissions and propose potential solutions to address the pressing issue of global warming.
EMISSION GAP REPORT
- The Emissions Gap Report (EGR) is an annual spotlight report released by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) ahead of the Annual Climate negotiations.
- This report serves to monitor and assess the disparity between the projected direction of global emissions based on existing country commitments and the necessary trajectory required to limit the rise in global temperatures to 1.5°C.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE REPORT
Key Highlights of the Emissions Gap Report (EGR) 2023:
- Temperature Rise Trajectory:
- Current pledges under the Paris Agreement set the world on a course for a 2.5-2.9°C temperature rise above pre-industrial levels by the end of this century.
- The Paris Agreement, also known as COP 21, is a significant environmental accord adopted in 2015 to address climate change.
- Global Emissions Trends:
- Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHG) reached a new record of 57.4 Gigatonnes of Carbon Dioxide Equivalent (GtCO2e) in 2022, with a 1.2% increase from the previous year.
- Fossil CO2 emissions contribute approximately two-thirds of current GHG emissions.
- Emissions from Major Economic Sectors:
- Major economic sectors contributing to emissions include energy supply (36% of total), industry (25%), agriculture and LULUCF CO2 (18%), transport (14%), and buildings (6.7%).
- Mitigation Efforts:
- If current policies and pledges continue, global warming is projected to reach 3°C above pre-industrial levels by the end of the century.
- Implementing unconditional Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) could limit the rise to 2.9°C, while conditional NDCs might cap it at 2.5°C.
- Net-Zero Pledges:
- Despite countries making Net-Zero Pledges, none of the G20 countries are reducing emissions at a pace consistent with their targets.
- The likelihood of limiting warming to 1.5°C, even in the most optimistic scenario, is only 14%.
- Progress and Challenges:
- Policy progress since the Paris Agreement has reduced the implementation gap but is deemed insufficient.
- Nine countries updated their NDCs, potentially reducing emissions by about 9% annually by 2030.
- Further reductions are deemed essential to establish least-cost pathways for limiting global warming to 1.5°C.
RECOMMENDATIONS
- Low-Carbon Development:
- Advocate for global, low-carbon development transformations, with a specific focus on the energy transition.
- Highlight that the extraction and planned use of fossil fuels currently exceed the carbon budget required to meet temperature goals.
- Support and Financing:
- Encourage countries with greater capacity and responsibility for generating emissions to undertake more ambitious actions.
- Emphasize the necessity for financial and technical support from developed nations to aid developing countries in their climate actions.
- Affirm that low- and middle-income countries, responsible for over two-thirds of global emissions, should pursue development with low-emission growth trajectories.
- Carbon Dioxide Removal:
- Recognize the increasing need for carbon dioxide removal in the future.
- Acknowledge the risks associated with new methods of carbon dioxide removal, including technological uncertainties.
- Stress the importance of not delaying action, as the longer the wait, the more challenging it becomes to address climate issues.
- Immediate Action:
- Call for urgent and immediate action to shift away from insufficient measures and set new records in cutting emissions, promoting green and just transitions, and providing climate finance.
- Emphasize the significance of starting these actions immediately to avoid exacerbating the challenges associated with climate change.
FAQs – UNEP EMISSION GAP REPORT
1. What is the Emissions Gap Report (EGR)?
A: The Emissions Gap Report (EGR) is an annual report released by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in anticipation of the Annual Climate negotiations. It assesses the disparity between projected global emissions based on current country commitments and the necessary trajectory to limit the rise in global temperatures to 1.5°C.
2. What is the focus of the EGR 2023 titled “Broken Record – Temperatures hit new highs, yet world fails to cut emissions (again)”?
A: The EGR 2023 underscores the urgent need for climate action to prevent an alarming trajectory of temperature rise. It marks the 14th edition, bringing together leading climate scientists to analyze upcoming greenhouse gas emission patterns and propose solutions to address global warming.
3. What are the key highlights of the Emissions Gap Report 2023?
- The current pledges under the Paris Agreement may lead to a 2.5-2.9°C temperature rise by the end of the century.
- Global greenhouse gas emissions reached a record 57.4 GtCO2e in 2022, primarily from fossil CO2 emissions.
- Major economic sectors contributing to emissions include energy supply, industry, agriculture, transport, and buildings.
- If current policies continue, global warming may reach 3°C by the end of the century.
- Net-zero pledges from countries, especially the G20, are not aligning with emission reduction targets.
4. What are the recommendations provided in the report to bridge the emissions gap?
- Emphasize low-carbon development globally, focusing on the energy transition.
- Encourage ambitious actions and financial support from emission-generating countries to aid developing nations.
- Advocate for low-emission growth trajectories for low- and middle-income countries.
- Recognize the increasing need for carbon dioxide removal while acknowledging associated risks.
- Stress the urgency of immediate action to cut emissions, promote green transitions, and provide climate finance.
5. How does the report address the progress and challenges since the Paris Agreement?
- Policy progress has reduced the implementation gap but is deemed insufficient.
- Nine countries updated their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), potentially reducing emissions by about 9% annually by 2030.
- Further reductions are considered essential to establish least-cost pathways for limiting global warming to 1.5°C.
In case you still have your doubts, contact us on 9811333901.
For UPSC Prelims Resources, Click here
For Daily Updates and Study Material:
Join our Telegram Channel – Edukemy for IAS
- 1. Learn through Videos – here
- 2. Be Exam Ready by Practicing Daily MCQs – here
- 3. Daily Newsletter – Get all your Current Affairs Covered – here
- 4. Mains Answer Writing Practice – here
