UN warns climate action plans insufficient ahead of COP29 in Azerbaijan
- Current national climate plans predict only a 2.6% decrease in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, which is far below the needed 43%.
- The upcoming COP29 summit in Azerbaijan is the venue where nations are expected to submit updated climate action plans.
- The UNFCCC stresses that the current efforts are insufficient and must be significantly ramped up to avert severe climate impacts.
A recent report by the UN warns that existing national climate action plans are insufficient to prevent severe climate repercussions. Countries' current plans will only lead to a 2.6% decrease in global greenhouse gas emissions from 2019 levels by 2030, which falls far short of the required 43% reduction to mitigate climate change effectively. This lack of progress is particularly concerning given the need for more ambitious commitments ahead of the upcoming COP29 summit in Baku, Azerbaijan, where nations are expected to submit updated plans. The urgency of the situation is emphasized by the rising levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, which have reached record highs, further threatening global ecosystems and economies. The UNFCCC chief highlights the necessity for countries, especially wealthier nations, to support poorer countries in their climate efforts to ensure a more equitable and effective global response to climate change.