Climate action promised by countries would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 9% in this decade - far short of the global goal of cutting emissions by nearly half by 2030, a new analysis shows.
Failing to meet the 2030 emissions target risks pushing the world toward irreversible climate impacts, even if a second goal of net-zero emissions by 2050 is met, scientists say.
The net reduction of 9% reflects only what nations aim to deliver, without considering whether those aims are supported by policy or law. In fact, the report finds that few countries are turning their pledges into clear action. Of the 65% of around 100 countries with net-zero or carbon neutrality targets before 2050, only 14 have signed net-zero targets into law.
The lagging ambition has increasingly caused alarm, leading delegates at last year's U.N. climate summit in Glasgow, Scotland, to demand greater vision in 2022. But just four months later, that resolve appears to be slipping. But it will likely "accelerate ambition for investment in low carbon energy systems in Europe for the benefit of future energy security, as well as better aligning with the NDC targets," he said.