The world is moving towards a global rise in temperatures of more than 2.5 degrees that can have catastrophic consequences, according to a new report from the UN Environment Program (UNEP).

"There is no credible path towards a maximum increase in temperatures of 1.5 degrees," UNEP highlights in its conclusions, which urges "a rapid transformation of societies" to limit the worst impacts of climate change.


The report casts an ominous shadow over the COP27 that takes place from November 6 to 18 in Sharl El Sheikh (Egypt).

Only 24 nations have submitted their new Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to reduce their CO2 emissions in 2030, which would still increase by 10.3% as a whole, instead of reducing by 45% (as as scientists advise not to exceed the maximum increase of 1.5 degrees).


"We are seeing what happens with a global increase of one degree, with serious impacts all over the planet

, from Pakistan to Puerto Rico," warns Inger Andersen, executive director of UNEP.

"This report captures in cold scientific terms what nature has been telling us, in the form of floods, storms, droughts and fires."

"We run out of time"


"We have had the opportunity to introduce significant changes, but we are running out of time," says the Danish economist.

"Only a profound transformation of our economies and our society can save us from the accelerating climate disaster."


"Some will say that it is impossible to cut emissions in half by 2030, but we have to try because every fraction of a degree matters a lot for the most vulnerable communities, for ecosystems and for all of us," concludes Andersen.

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Cities accuse governments of "dragging their feet" in the face of the climate emergency

  • Writing: CARLOS FRESNEDA(Correspondent)London

Cities accuse governments of "dragging their feet" in the face of the climate emergency


The UNEP report warns that the current trend may lead to a rise between 2.1 and 2.9 degrees over the century, with the best estimate considered to be around 2.5 degrees.

The Paris Agreement -signed in 2015 by 195 countries- set the goal of "an increase in temperatures well below two degrees Celsius" and committed the signatories to "make efforts" to limit the maximum increase to 1, 5 degrees compared to the pre-industrial era.


"In Glasgow last year, all countries agreed to review and strengthen their climate goals,"

Simon Stiell, head of the UN framework convention on climate change , told

The Guardian .

"The fact that only 24 countries have updated their climate plans is frustrating. Government decisions and actions must reflect the level of urgency and gravity of the threat we face."


"

We are not advancing enough, nor are we approaching

the scale that would be necessary for the necessary reduction in emissions for a maximum increase in temperatures of 1.5 degrees," warns Stiell, who was minister of the environment of the Caribbean island of Grenada. before taking office.

"

Governments have to set new goals and implement them in the next eight years.

And we also need more commitments from the private sector and local governments."


The UN Secretary General, António Guterres, joined the call in an interview on the BBC: "

Emissions

continue to grow

in a dangerous way,

and that gap must be closed before the climate catastrophe affects us all. We are already seeing the impact in recent years, if we don't turn that trend around, we're doomed."

war in ukraine


"We have to put the climate back at the center of the international debate,"

added Guterres, who criticized how some governments have taken advantage of the war in Ukraine and the energy crisis "to divert attention and put climate change on the back burner." .


The International Energy Agency (IEA) put the counterpoint with a somewhat more hopeful analysis, warning that emissions from the energy sector may reach their peak in 2025, precisely because of the increase in government investments in clean energy as a result of the war.


"The Russian invasion of Ukraine is actually causing an acceleration of the energy transition," said IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol, despite the contradictory trend of countries such as the United Kingdom that have reverted to fossil fuels.

Plans for investments in solar, wind and nuclear energy will rise by the equivalent of two billion euros a year between now and 2030, an expected increase of 50% compared to current figures.

The IEA warns, however, that investments will have to be doubled in order to reach the goal of zero emissions in 2050.


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