UN Environment Programme Releases Emissions Gap Report 2024 | Current Affairs | Vision IAS
News Today Logo

UN Environment Programme Releases Emissions Gap Report 2024

Posted 25 Oct 2024

2 min read

Report focuses on global emission trends, future projections and what is required from next NDCs to achieve long-term temperature goals of Paris Agreement. 

Key Observations: 

  • Greenhouse-gas(GHG) emissions rose to a new high of 57 gigatons(Gt) of CO2 equivalent in 2023 (1.3 % increase from 2022).
    • India ranks 3rd in total GHG emissions with 4,140 MtCO2e compared to China (1st) & US (2nd). 
  • Large disparities in Current and historic GHG emissions: Six largest GHG emitters accounted for 63 % of global GHG emissions while least developed countries accounted for only 3 %
    • Similarly, India’s historical CO2 emissions (1850–2022) are much lower i.e 83 GtCO2 than China (300 GtCO2) & US (527 GtCO2).
  • Missing NDC targets: Adoption of more stringent policies is required across countries to achieve NDC targets for 2030.

Recommendations for limiting global warming to 1.5°C:

  • Nations must collectively commit to cut 42 % off annual greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and 57 % by 2035 in next NDCs. 
  • NDCs must include all gases listed in Kyoto Protocol, cover all sectors, and set specific targets.
  • Increased deployment of solar photovoltaic technologies and wind energy could deliver 38 % of total emission reduction potential in 2035.

About Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs):

  • These are national climate action plans by each country to reduce GHG emissions. 
  • Paris Agreement requires that NDCs are updated every five years with increasingly higher ambition, taking into consideration each country’s capacity.
  • After original NDCs in 2015, and second round in 2020/2021, next round of NDCs – “NDCs 3.0” are due in early 2025. 
  • Tags :
  • Emission Gap Report
  • Nationally Determined Contributions
Watch News Today