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UN Warns Limiting Warming to 1.5°C Is 'Virtually Zero'; World on Track for 3.1°C Rise

Oct 24, 2024, 06:03 PM

The United Nations has issued a stark warning that the world is on track for a catastrophic temperature rise of 3.1°C by the end of the century if current climate policies are not urgently strengthened. The UN Environment Programme's latest Emissions Gap Report highlights that annual greenhouse gas emissions have reached an all-time high of 57.1 gigatonnes, and without immediate and significant action to reduce emissions, global warming will far exceed the 1.5°C limit set in the Paris Agreement. UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized that time is running out to prevent climate disaster, stating, "We are teetering on a planetary tightrope. Either leadership bridges the emissions gap or we plunge headlong into climate disaster." The report indicates that even if all existing Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are fully implemented, global temperatures would still rise by 2.4°C to 2.6°C, which is significantly above the agreed targets. The chance of limiting warming to 1.5°C is now considered "virtually zero" on current trends. The UN is calling for unprecedented emissions cuts and massive global efforts to combat climate change ahead of the upcoming COP29 climate conference, warning that continuing with current policies will lead to devastating impacts worldwide.