Emissions Gap Report 2024

The recently released Emissions Gap Report 2024 by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) provides critical insights into the global state of greenhouse gas emissions, climate commitments, and the growing challenge to meet the Paris Agreement targets. This report is particularly significant as it sets the stage for the upcoming COP 29 of the UNFCCC in Baku, Azerbaijan, where global leaders will discuss climate strategies.

Key Highlights of the Emissions Gap Report 2024

1.  Current Emission Trajectory:

o    Temperature Rise: Under current policies, global temperatures are projected to rise by 3.1°C above pre-industrial levels, which is far above the Paris Agreement target of limiting warming to below 2°C, and ideally to 1.5°C.

o    Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs): Even with full implementation of all existing NDCs, the temperature rise would likely be around 2.6°C. This indicates that the current commitments are insufficient to meet the goals set by the Paris Agreement.

2.  Urgency for Emission Reductions:

o    To keep the 1.5°C target within reach, the report stresses that global greenhouse gas emissions must peak before 2025 and decline by 43% by 2030.

o    Annual emission cuts of 7.5% until 2035 are necessary, which highlights the urgent need for accelerated climate actions by all countries.

3.  Record Emissions and Major Emitters:

o    2023 Emissions: Global emissions hit a record high of 57.1 gigatons of CO₂ equivalent (tCO₂e) in 2023. India’s emissions grew by 6.1%, while global emissions rose by 1.3%.

o    G20’s Role: The G20 countries (excluding the African Union) contributed to 77% of total global emissions in 2023, with just six of the largest emitters accounting for 63% of all emissions.

4.  Per Capita Emissions:

o    India’s Position: India’s per capita greenhouse gas emissions in 2022 stood at 2.9 tCO₂e, which is significantly lower than the per capita emissions of China (11 tCO₂e) and the US (18 tCO₂e).

o    Developed vs. Developing Nations: Developed nations have an average per capita emission three times the global average (6.6 tCO₂e), underscoring the disparity between developed and developing nations regarding emission levels.

5.  Cost of Bridging the Emissions Gap:

o    Achieving net-zero by 2050 requires an estimated USD 900 billion to USD 2.1 trillion annually, amounting to approximately 1% of global GDP. This massive investment underscores the need for both private and public financing to meet climate targets.

6.  Emission Reduction Pathways:

o    Renewable Energy: Scaling up solar and wind energy could achieve 27% of the required emissions reduction by 2030.

o    Forest Conservation and Restoration: Forest management, including conservation and restoration, could contribute up to 20% of emissions reductions by maintaining carbon sinks and reducing deforestation.

Implications and Challenges

1.  Paris Agreement at Risk:

o    The report makes it clear that without substantial increases in climate ambition, the Paris Agreement target is at severe risk. Countries need to not only meet their NDCs but enhance them significantly to avoid the most devastating impacts of climate change.

2.  Financial Requirements:

o    With the cost of climate action estimated at 1% of global GDP, there’s a pressing need for sustainable financing models. Developed nations, who are historically larger emitters, face a moral responsibility to support developing countries through climate financing, technology transfer, and capacity building.

3.  Disparities in Emissions:

o    The disparity between developed and developing nations in per capita emissions brings attention to climate justice. While developed countries have higher per capita emissions, developing countries like India contribute far less per person, yet are often more vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.

4.  Role of the G20:

o    The G20’s significant share of global emissions underscores the critical role these countries must play in reducing emissions. The report indicates that without collective action from the G20, meeting global targets will be nearly impossible.

About UNEP and Its Role

1.  United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP):

o    Established in 1972, UNEP is headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya and focuses on global environmental issues through its initiatives in climate action, ecosystem restoration, and pollution management.

o    UNEP’s governing body, the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA), is the highest decision-making body for environmental issues and includes all 193 UN member states.

2.  Key Reports:

o    UNEP’s influential reports, such as the Emissions Gap Report, Global Environment Outlook, and Adaptation Gap Report, provide crucial insights and recommendations for countries to achieve their environmental and climate goals.

Conclusion

The Emissions Gap Report 2024 serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for stronger climate action to avoid catastrophic warming. As countries prepare for COP 29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, they must bring higher ambition to the table, focusing on actionable strategies to cut emissions, invest in renewables, and secure climate financing. Bridging the emissions gap requires not just policy changes but a global shift in prioritizing sustainable development, ensuring that vulnerable populations are protected, and holding major emitters accountable.

MCQs for Practice

Q1. With reference to the Emissions Gap Report 2024 by UNEP, consider the following statements:

1.    The report projects that current policies will lead to a global temperature rise of 3.1°C above pre-industrial levels.

2.    The full implementation of all current Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) would limit global warming to 1.5°C.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

• (a) 1 only
• (b) 2 only
• (c) Both 1 and 2
• (d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (a) 1 only
Explanation: The full implementation of all NDCs would still result in a temperature rise of approximately 2.6°C, not 1.5°C.

Q2. According to the Emissions Gap Report 2024, which of the following sectors or initiatives could contribute significantly to reducing global greenhouse gas emissions by 2030?

1.    Scaling solar and wind energy

2.    Forest conservation and restoration

3.    Expansion of nuclear energy

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

• (a) 1 and 2 only
• (b) 1 and 3 only
• (c) 2 and 3 only
• (d) 1, 2, and 3

Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only
Explanation: The report highlights solar and wind energy scaling and forest conservation as key strategies to reduce emissions. Nuclear energy expansion is not specifically mentioned in this report.

Q3. Which of the following statements correctly describes the G20’s role in global emissions as per the Emissions Gap Report 2024?

1.    G20 countries, excluding the African Union, accounted for 77% of global emissions in 2023.

2.    G20 countries collectively contribute less than 50% of global emissions.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

• (a) 1 only
• (b) 2 only
• (c) Both 1 and 2
• (d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (a) 1 only
Explanation: G20 countries, excluding the African Union, accounted for a large share (77%) of global emissions, not less than 50%.

Q4. According to the Emissions Gap Report 2024, what level of annual emissions reduction is required to limit global warming to 1.5°C by 2035?

• (a) 5.5%
• (b) 7.5%
• (c) 10%
• (d) 12.5%

Answer: (b) 7.5%
Explanation: The report specifies that an annual reduction of 7.5% in emissions until 2035 is essential to keep the 1.5°C target within reach.

Q5. With reference to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), consider the following statements:

1.    UNEP was established following the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment in Stockholm in 1972.

2.    The United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA), the governing body of UNEP, includes only the top 20 highest-emitting countries.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

• (a) 1 only
• (b) 2 only
• (c) Both 1 and 2
• (d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (a) 1 only
Explanation: UNEP was established after the Stockholm Conference in 1972, and UNEA includes all 193 UN Member States, not only the top 20 emitters.