Context:
• A new UN synthesis report shows that global emission reduction efforts are dramatically off-track, with countries projected to cut emissions by only 17% (from 2019 levels) by 2035, far below the requirements of the Paris Agreement.
Key Highlights:
- Current Emission Reduction Trajectory
- Countries are on track for only a 17% reduction by 2035.
- To meet climate goals, emissions must fall by:
- 37% to limit warming to 1.5°C
- 57% to limit warming to 2°C (from 2019 baseline)
- Status of Updated NDCs
- Only 64 of 190 parties submitted updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) by September 30.
- 73% of newly submitted NDCs include adaptation components.
- Emission Projections
- Total emissions under new NDCs are expected to be 13 billion tonnes of CO₂-eq in 2035, which is 6% lower than previous pledges.
Significance
- The report was released ahead of COP30 in Belém, Brazil, reinforcing the urgency of accelerating global climate action.
• Updated NDCs outline commitments to:
- Reduce fossil fuel emissions
- Expand carbon sinks through afforestation and reforestation
- Enhance renewable energy deployment
- Strengthen CCUS technologies
• The synthesis notes that while mitigation remains inadequate, many NDCs now give significant attention to: - Adaptation strategies
- Climate finance needs
- Technology transfer mechanisms
- Addressing loss and damage
• Key areas requiring more support include: - Solar energy expansion
- Large-scale afforestation and reforestation
- Domestic renewable energy commitments
- Investment in CCUS infrastructure
• The report stresses that without stronger NDCs and accelerated implementation, the world risks surpassing critical climate thresholds, making adaptation and loss-and-damage costs significantly higher.