The annual emissions gap report is published by the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP), highlighting the current global greenhouse gas emissions and estimated future emissions. It’s used as a tool to track our progress of limiting global warming in an attempt to ensure it doesn’t rise above 1.5 degrees Celsius. This is to meet The Paris Climate Agreement’s goals. The report unites the world’s best climate scientists, who look at potential trends in greenhouse gas emissions, trying to create solutions to slow global warming.
According to the G20 website: ‘G20 stands for “Group of Twenty”. The G20 brings together the countries with the largest economies in the world. The member states meet annually to discuss economic, political and social initiatives. The group defines itself as the main forum for international economic cooperation (agreement reached by the leaders at the Pittsburgh Summit in September 2009)’
It consists of the following countries and unions:
Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada. China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, The UK, The USA, European Union and African Union.
The report proposes ways for nations to reach the 1.5 degree increase goal. They must:
The aim of reaching only a 1.5 degrees Celsius increase is extremely important as at this temperature, the risks of climate change will be reduced. The 3.1 degrees Celsius increase we are on track for is ‘catastrophic’ according to the UN.
We’re already experiencing the impacts of global warming and climate change all over the world, whether it is in the form of tropical storms, droughts, wildfires, ocean rise or global warming. This leads to food instability and economic problems. Already, small islands are having their coasts eroded by rising sea levels and are experiencing severe floods.
If we continue the path to 3.1 degrees Celsius this century, we will experience the events above getting increasingly worse and some endangered species will go extinct, and habitats and islands such as Kiribati will disappear.
The 1.5 degree plan needs to be a global effort that aims to limit the temperature increase (due to global warming) to 1.5 degrees above the temperature of the earth before the industrial revolution, as opposed to the projected 3.1 degrees.
But, how can we all follow the 1.5 degree plan? To get this plan to work, the world needs to see a 45% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions, in comparison to 2010, by 2030. Globally we must also reach a state of net zero by 2050.
Changes that business can make to help meet the 1.5 degree pathway:
Inger Andersen, the executive director at the United Nations, said: “We need global mobilisation on a scale and pace never seen before, starting right now before the next round of climate pledges. This summarises how if drastic actions are not taken, our plant will reach a state of no return. This will occur at a 3.1 degree temperature rise from the pre-industrial revolution temperature.
However, there is potential that we can avoid this position. By switching to more sustainable energy sources and implementing many decarbonisation strategies it can help to significantly reduce emissions.”
The 2024 Annual Emissions Gap Report highlights the impact that humanity has had on our planet and its environment. Global temperatures are ever rising, which brings with it even more problems; we are nearing a point of no return, unless we adopt some new tactics to improve the global carbon intake. There is hope for the planet due to new developments in sustainable energy, we must embrace these new adaptations of living.
Want to get started and make a real difference with your business? 5D Net Zero can help. We offer bespoke and comprehensive carbon footprinting and reduction services that will make sure your business lowers its emissions across all three scopes.
We can start with a short Discovery Call, so our friendly team can understand exactly what you need. We will support you wherever you are on your sustainability journey; whether it’s just getting started, tendering with confidence, or incorporating sustainable business in every step of your operations.
The team here at 5D hope you’ve found this blog informative, and if there’s any way we can help you, please do get in touch. We’d love to hear from you.
On the discovery call, we will ask you about your business, to understand your goals and advise how 5D Net Zero can help you on your net zero journey.
To start the process, just use our calendar to book a discovery call.
