New UN report reveals record rise in CO2 emissions
Reuters
Fresh United Nations data, coinciding with the opening of the COP29 climate summit here in Baku, has highlighted a record-breaking rise in global CO2 emissions. The report has revealed an 11% increase in such emissions over the past two decades, with greenhouse gases reaching unprecedented levels. For the UN, this underscores the urgent need for effective international action to combat the climate crisis.
The UN report states that carbon dioxide is accumulating in the atmosphere at an unprecedented rate, with long-term consequences for global temperatures. Ko Barrett, Deputy Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organization, warned that due to the prolonged atmospheric lifetime of CO2, rising temperatures are now inevitable for many years to come.
Greenhouse gas emissions continue to drive global warming, with European Union scientists predicting that 2024 will likely become the hottest year in over 125,000 years.
In his opening remarks at the G20 summit, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, urged nations to lead global efforts in reducing emissions by 9% per year through to 2030, by phasing out fossil fuels, and accelerating the transition to renewable energy. "The climate crisis is here. We cannot afford to delay our response. We must adapt now," Guterres stated, emphasising the need to limit the global temperature rise to 1.5°C to avoid the worst impacts of climate change.
As the summit progresses, governments are under significant pressure to demonstrate concrete commitments to reducing emission and outlining clear strategies for mitigating further temperature increases. The main focus of COP29 is to achieve tangible, global solutions to address the climate emergency and ensure a sustainable future for all.
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