World Heads for Dangerous Temperature Rise, UN Report Warns

The 2023 Emissions Gap Report by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) found that global temperatures are soaring and greenhouse gas emissions are reaching unprecedented levels.

The report warns that the world is heading for a 2.5-2.9°C temperature rise above pre-industrial levels unless countries step up climate action. This trajectory demands a minimum 28% reduction in emissions to reach the 2°C target and a 42% reduction to attain the 1.5°C limit.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres called on countries to commit to phasing out fossil fuels and invest in renewable energy. "We know it is still possible to make the 1.5-degree limit a reality. It requires tearing out the poisoned root of the climate crisis: fossil fuels. And it demands a just, equitable renewables transition," said Guterres.

The appeal comes with just ten days to go before the COP28 climate change conference in Dubai gets underway, where the first Global Stocktake of the Paris Agreement implementation is to conclude and inform the next round of National Determined Contributions (NDCs) that countries should submit in 2025, with targets for 2035.