UNEP Emissions Gap Report 2019

Recently released United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Emissions Gap Report-2019 warns that the Earth’s average temperature may rise by 3.2 degrees Celsius by 2100. Moreover, despite all scientific warnings and political commitments emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) couldn’t decrease globally.

The report was released prior to the United Nations Climate Conference (COP-25) to be held in Spain from 2 December 2019. It states that GHG emissions have increased by 1.5% since the last decade and that carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions have reached an all-time high figure of 55.3 gigatons.

Key Findings of UNEP Emissions Gap Report 2019

China, the United States of America (USA), the European Union (28) and India are among the top four greenhouse gas emitters.

India: UNEP report highlights that India is regularly considering deadlines and targets to curb carbon emissions per the report, India’s per capita emission is one of the lowest within G20 countries. Also, India is one of the leading countries that are looking for electric vehicle development.

Globally:

The report suggested that only if Green House Gas (GHG) emissions are reduced by 7.6% every year from 2020 to 2030 period, only then the target of reducing global temperature can be achieved.

As per the report, the largest GHG contribution comes from the energy sector and its fossil fuel emissions. Thus to achieve the target of limiting temperature rise to no more than 1.5 ° C, all countries must reduce GHG emissions by up to 5 times.

The report also highlights that if the global temperature reaches at the level of 1.5 degrees then coral reefs would be reduced by 70-90%. It also clarifies that by 2100, the world would be warmer 3.2 degrees that pre-industrial level.

Key Recommendations of Emissions Gap Report 2019

The report suggested that each country has own unique opportunities to protect livelihood, natural resources and lives. Moreover, Complete de-carbonization of the energy sector is possible and necessary. With renewable energy electricity, emission reduction can achieve a target of 12.1 gigatonnes (GT) by 2050. Also, the electrification of transport can also help to reduce carbon emission by up to 72% by 2050.