Since the Paris Agreement was signed a decade ago, there have been notable advancements in climate action. Renewable energy costs are down, and electric vehicles are improving. Yet, a new report highlights that we are still falling short in crucial areas necessary to prevent severe climate impacts.
Clea Shumer, a researcher at the World Resources Institute, underscores the urgency. “All systems are flashing red,” she stated. “We might be doing some things right, but we’re not moving fast enough.” The Paris Agreement aims to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels by the century’s end. However, the report shows that most indicators for progress are lagging.
The report examines 45 sectors, from building electrification to meat consumption. Alarmingly, none of these indicators are on track. Six are progressing slowly, nearly 30 are significantly off track, and five are worsening. Some areas, like peatland degradation and food waste, lacked enough data for analysis.
One major concern is the effort to phase out coal—the leading contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Despite a slight decrease in coal’s share of global electricity generation in 2024, total coal usage still reached a record high due to rising demand in countries like China and India. Shumer points out that a coal-dependent power grid negatively impacts efforts to decarbonize buildings and transportation.
To get back on track, we need to drastically increase the pace of coal phaseouts. Shumer suggests shutting down over 360 medium-sized coal plants annually and halting all new coal plants currently planned. “We simply will not limit warming to 1.5 degrees if coal use keeps breaking records,” she warned.
Recent data reflects a growing urgency. According to a survey from the Pew Research Center, nearly 70% of Americans now view climate change as a major threat. This public sentiment indicates a shift toward action, but whether this translates into necessary policy changes remains to be seen.
For further insights, you can check the full report from the Systems Change Lab here.
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