Climate pledges ‘barely moving the needle’ on global warming, says UN – Euronews.com

Analysis of the UNEP Emissions Gap Report and its Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: Global Climate Commitments and SDG 13 (Climate Action)

A report from the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), released ahead of the COP30 climate conference, indicates a significant gap between current global emissions reduction pledges and the targets necessary to limit global temperature rise. This gap presents a direct and substantial challenge to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 13 (Climate Action), as current commitments are insufficient to prevent a serious escalation of climate-related risks and damages.

Key Findings on Global Emissions Trajectories

The report’s primary findings underscore the inadequacy of current global efforts in relation to the Paris Agreement targets, which are central to SDG 13.

• Under full implementation of current Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), global temperatures are projected to rise by 2.3°C to 2.5°C this century.
• If only existing policies are implemented, the projected temperature rise increases to 2.8°C.
• This represents only a marginal improvement from the previous year’s projections and is described by the UN Secretary-General as pointing towards “climate breakdown.”
• The report concludes that the 1.5°C warming threshold will very likely be exceeded within the next decade, necessitating aggressive and immediate action to mitigate the overshoot.

Progress and Shortfalls in Relation to SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals)

While the Paris Agreement serves as a critical framework for SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), the report highlights significant shortfalls in collective action.

1. Only 60 Parties to the agreement had submitted new mitigation targets for 2035 by the September 30, 2025, deadline.
2. Progress on reducing projected emissions has been minimal, with UNEP’s Executive Director Inger Andersen stating that national climate plans are “nowhere near fast enough.”
3. The withdrawal of the United States from the Paris Agreement is expected to negate approximately 0.1°C of the limited progress achieved.

Regional Contributions and Performance: The European Union

The report assesses the contributions of major emitters, providing insights into regional progress towards climate goals.

• The European Union is one of the six largest greenhouse gas emitters, alongside China, the United States, India, the Russian Federation, and Indonesia.
• In 2024, the EU was the only entity among this group to achieve a reduction in emissions, recording a decrease of 2.1%.
• The report categorizes the EU as “likely to meet the target with existing policies,” highlighting its role as a key contributor to emissions reductions among G20 nations.

Recommendations for Accelerating Progress on SDG 7 and SDG 12

Experts and global leaders have responded to the report with urgent calls for accelerated transformation, directly aligning with SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).

1. Triple Renewable Energy Capacity: A primary recommendation is to triple the global capacity for renewable energy by 2030, leveraging the record growth in renewable electricity generation seen in 2024.
2. Double Energy Efficiency: A parallel goal is to double the rate of energy efficiency improvements by 2030.
3. Phase Out Fossil Fuels: Leaders are urged to end all new coal, oil, and gas expansion, emphasizing that the transition away from fossil fuels is currently moving too slowly. This must be conducted in a “just and equitable manner,” which supports SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

Conclusion: Urgent Call for Enhanced Global Cooperation at COP30

The UNEP Emissions Gap Report serves as a critical warning that the world is failing to meet its climate commitments. The upcoming COP30 conference is identified as a powerful but brief opportunity to strengthen global partnerships (SDG 17) and demand faster, bolder action. Stakeholders from Greenpeace International and The Nature Conservancy have emphasized that the 1.5°C overshoot warning must be a “rallying call for action” to bridge the ambition gap and accelerate a global transition towards a sustainable, low-carbon future in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article primarily addresses issues related to three Sustainable Development Goals:

• SDG 13: Climate Action – This is the central theme of the article, which focuses on the UNEP Emissions Gap Report, global efforts to tackle climate change, the Paris Agreement, and the projected rise in global temperatures.
• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy – The article explicitly discusses the transition to renewable energy as a key solution, mentioning the “rapid growth in cheap renewable energy,” a call to “triple renewables and double energy efficiency by 2030,” and the fact that 2024 was a “record year for renewable electricity generation.”
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – The article highlights the importance of international cooperation through mechanisms like the annual COP meetings (COP30), the Paris Agreement, and the submission of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) by various countries. It discusses the collective actions and commitments of nations and blocs like the EU and G20.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s content, the following specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning.
   • The article directly discusses this target by referencing the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement, which are national climate action plans. It notes that “only 60 Parties… had submitted or announced new Nationally Determined Contributions containing mitigation targets for 2035.” It also details the EU’s specific target to “reduce net greenhouse emissions by at least 55 per cent from 1990 levels by 2030.”
2. Target 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
   • This target is addressed through the call from the UN Secretary-General to “triple renewables… by 2030.” The article also points to progress in this area by stating that “2024 was a record year for renewable electricity generation” and that “proven solutions exist from the rapid growth in cheap renewable energy.”
3. Target 7.3: By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency.
   • This target is explicitly mentioned in the UN Secretary-General’s statement, which urges leaders to “double energy efficiency by 2030.”
4. Target 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development…
   • The entire context of the article, which revolves around the upcoming COP30 meeting, the Paris Agreement, and the collective assessment of countries’ climate pledges in the UNEP report, points to this target. The discussion of G20 commitments and the need for developed countries to “lead the transition” underscores the theme of global partnership and shared responsibility.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article mentions or implies several indicators that can be used to measure progress:

1. For Target 13.2:
   • Total greenhouse gas emissions: The article provides specific data on emissions, such as the EU’s emissions decreasing by 2.1% in 2024 and the EU’s target to reduce emissions by 55% from 1990 levels. This serves as a direct indicator of progress.
   • Projected global temperature rise: The report’s findings of a projected temperature rise between 2.3°C and 2.8°C under different scenarios are used as a key indicator to measure the gap between current commitments and the goals of the Paris Agreement.
   • Number of countries with NDCs: The article states that “only 60 Parties to the Paris Agreement… had submitted or announced new Nationally Determined Contributions,” which is a quantitative indicator of national policy integration.
2. For Targets 7.2 and 7.3:
   • Growth in renewable energy generation: The statement that “2024 was a record year for renewable electricity generation” implies the use of generation data (e.g., in gigawatts) as an indicator. The call to “triple renewables” sets a clear, measurable goal.
   • Rate of improvement in energy efficiency: The call to “double energy efficiency by 2030” establishes a specific, measurable indicator for progress on this target.
3. For Target 17.16:
   • Participation in international agreements: The article’s focus on the Paris Agreement and the number of parties submitting NDCs serves as an indicator of the strength and effectiveness of the global partnership on climate action. The convening of COP30 itself is an indicator of the ongoing global partnership process.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: euronews.com