ecosystem
Countries will not even meet their global “highly inadequate” climate plans, the report, released ahead of Cop27, the latest international climate talks in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, warns.
Ms Anderson said: “This report tells us, in cold scientific terms, what nature is telling us year-round through deadly floods, storms and raging fires: We must stop flooding our atmosphere with greenhouse gases and stop acting fast.
“We have an opportunity to make incremental changes, but that time is over. Only a fundamental shift in our economy and society will save us from accelerating climate catastrophe.”
She added: “Reforming the global economy and nearly halving greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 is a tall order, some would say it’s impossible, but we have to try.
“Every part of the degree matters: for vulnerable communities, species and ecosystems, and for each of us.”
gap
Mr. Guterres called for action by developed countries to take the lead in promoting their national climate plans, support emerging economies’ transition to renewable energy and end their reliance on fossil fuels.
He urged multilateral banks – particularly the World Bank – to commit to greater climate action, saying the world cannot “suffer more greenwashing, counterfeiters or latecomers”.
“As today’s report shows, we are heading towards economically damaging levels of global warming. We need climate action on all fronts – we need it now.
“We must close the emissions gap before climate catastrophe looms on us all,” he said.
flexitarian
With a full implementation plan and additional long-term commitments, there is hope of reducing overall emissions to zero, resulting in a 1.8°C rise in temperature, but this is not currently possible given the gap between current emissions, this decade’s target and net-zero emissions. The letter to UN Environment stated that the goal.
Actions needed to achieve the cuts range from removing fossil fuel subsidies and halting coal and gas plant expansions, to setting mandates to switch to zero-emission vehicles and implement 100 percent renewable energy goals.
The report warns that the food system accounts for a third of all emissions and must be “significantly reduced”.
It points to a range of actions, including switching to flexitarian, vegetarian and vegan diets, improving farming and soil management, and reducing deforestation and peatland loss, which could curb emissions.
this author
Emily Beament is the PA Environmental Correspondent.
