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World Passes 1.5°C Warming: Fight Harder, Says UN
12 Nov
Summary
- Global emissions must decrease by 6% annually, according to the UN.
- Current national plans will lead to over 2.5°C warming by century's end.
- The 35-by-35 Global Electrification Pledge aims for 35% electricity share by 2035.
The United Nations secretary general declared that exceeding the 1.5°C global warming threshold is now unavoidable. However, he emphasized that humanity can still influence the extent and duration of this temperature overshoot. To mitigate further warming, Guterres called for a critical annual reduction of global emissions by approximately 6% and an accelerated shift away from fossil fuels.
Current national climate strategies are deemed too slow, projecting over 2.5°C warming by 2100. Guterres stressed the need for climate justice, highlighting the disparity in clean energy investment for developing nations. He advocated for a new Climate Justice Compact to ensure shared responsibility and benefits.
COP31 is prioritizing electrification, with the 35-by-35 Global Electrification Pledge aiming to raise electricity's share in global final energy consumption to 35% by 2035. This initiative, supported by leaders like the European Commission president, seeks to accelerate electrification across sectors and boost renewable energy infrastructure.
Discussions also cover practical implementation and financing challenges, particularly for developing economies. India's stance emphasizes national circumstances and access to capital, noting its own significant progress in non-fossil fuel capacity, and advocates for COP31 to focus on financing necessary infrastructure builds rather than new voluntary targets.
