Climate crisis: UN says world off-course to meet Paris goals

A two-year evaluation of the 2015 Paris climate agreement goals found the world's efforts are falling woefully short. The UN warns 'the window of opportunity' to tackle global warming 'is rapidly closing'.

The world is way off course for the target to decrease global warming, the United Nations has warned, urging more action to phase out fossil fuels and achieve the 2015 Paris climate agreement goals.

'The Paris Agreement has driven near-universal climate action by setting goals and sending signals to the world regarding the urgency of responding to the climate crisis,' the UN said in its first Global Stocktake Report. 'While action is proceeding, much more is needed now on all fronts.'

'The window of opportunity to secure a liveable and sustainable future for all is rapidly closing,' it added.

The report, the result of a two-year evaluation of the Paris goals, will form the basis of the COP28 climate talks in Dubai later this year.

Nearly 200 countries agreed during the 2015 Paris summit to limit global warming to no more than 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. They also pledged to strive to limit the increase to 1.5 C.

Where is the world lagging behind?

In the report, the UN has warned that the existing pledges to cut emissions caused by the burning of fossil fuels were insufficient to curb global warming.

It added that over 20 gigatonnes of further carbon emission reductions were needed this decade.

It stressed the importance of committing to a phase-out of fossil fuels, urging countries to cut coal use by 67–92 per cent by 2030.

The UN also called for setting 2030 targets for expanding renewable energy and ensuring that the financial system can fund climate action and support adaptation and damage.

"We know that the burden of response sits with 20 countries," said UN climate chief Simon Stiell, referring to the nations of the Group of 20 that account for about 80 per cent of global emissions. The G20 just concluded its 2030 summit in New Delhi on 9–10 September.

China, the United States, the European Union and India together contribute over half of the total emissions.

Earlier in September, prior to the G20 Summit, UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres told G20 leaders that they have the power to reset a climate crisis, which he warned is "spinning out of control".