UN Urges Countries to Submit Delayed Climate Action Plans: What You Need to Know

The United Nations recently urged countries to submit their climate plans promptly. Many major polluters, including China and India, have yet to unveil their updated commitments. The deadline for nearly 200 countries under the Paris Agreement was February, but only a few have met it.

UN climate chief Simon Stiell emphasized the importance of these plans. He described them as crucial for economic growth and essential in tackling the climate crisis. Stiell noted that national climate plans could significantly impact humanity’s future.

The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) will review these commitments, with an important report scheduled ahead of COP30, the annual climate summit in Brazil this November. Plans submitted by the end of September will be included in this update. Stiell encouraged world leaders to announce their new policies at a special event during the UN General Assembly in New York on September 24.

Approximately 190 countries aim to submit their revised plans this year. So far, about 30 have done so, including major economies like Brazil, the UK, Japan, and Canada. The U.S. has also put forth a plan, but it’s viewed as mostly symbolic given the withdrawal from the Paris Agreement by the Trump administration.

This slow global response suggests a diminishing focus on climate action amid rising security and trade issues. The national climate plans are vital in striving to meet the goal of the Paris Agreement: keeping global temperature rises well below 2 degrees Celsius. Currently, the world is on track for a temperature increase nearing 3 degrees.

To mitigate this warming, global emissions must be cut by nearly half by 2030. Experts warn that without urgent action, we risk facing severe consequences. A recent report indicated that global greenhouse gas emissions reached a record high in 2022, making urgent action more critical than ever.

This situation underscores the need for countries to prioritize climate plans as part of their economic and social agendas. The future of our planet depends on quick and decisive action now. For more information on global climate action, visit the UNFCCC.

Source link

2015 Paris agreement,climate,climate change,climate crisis,climate governance,Environment,global emissions,global warming,Simon Stiell,un climate summit,UNFCCC,United Nations