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World faces disastrous 2.7C temperature rise on current climate plans, UN warns
(EurActiv, 27 Oct 2021) Report says countries must strengthen climate ambitions after wasting chance to build back better after COVID. EURACTIV’s media partner, The Guardian, reports.
The world is squandering the opportunity to “build back better” from the COVID-19 pandemic, and faces disastrous temperature rises of at least 2.7°C if countries fail to strengthen their climate pledges, according to a report from the UN, published on Tuesday (26 October).
Tuesday’s publication warns that countries’ current pledges would reduce carbon by only about 7.5% by 2030, far less than the 45% cut scientists say is needed to limit global temperature rises to 1.5C, the aim of the COP26 summit that opens in Glasgow this Sunday.
António Guterres, the UN secretary-general, described the findings as a “thundering wake up call” to world leaders, while experts called for drastic action against fossil fuel companies.
Although more than 100 countries have promised to reach net zero emissions around mid-century, this would not be enough to stave off climate disaster, according to the UN emissions report, which examines the shortfall between countries’ intentions and actions needed on the climate. Many of the net zero pledges were found to be vague, and unless accompanied by stringent cuts in emissions this decade would allow global heating of a potentially catastrophic extent.
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EurActiv, 27 Oct 2021: World faces disastrous 2.7C temperature rise on current climate plans, UN warns
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