UN Warns Global Climate Initiatives "Falling Miles Short"
The United Nations Environment Program's latest assessment delivers a stark message: global climate initiatives are drastically missing their marks. The 2023 Emissions Gap Report reveals current policies put Earth on track for warming between 2.5°C and 2.9°C by 2100, dangerously exceeding the Paris Agreement's 1.5°C target. Global greenhouse gas emissions reached a record 57.4 gigatons of CO2 equivalent in 2022, marking a 1.2% increase when steep reductions were needed.
Most concerning, these temperature projections account for all current climate pledges, including recent commitments made at COP28. The report emphasizes that even if all countries achieved their stated goals, the world would still face harmful climate impacts, from extreme weather events to potentially irreversible ecosystem damage.