Emissions Gap Report 2023

The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) has released the 14th edition of the Emissions Gap Report 2023.
The report is launched annually ahead of the U.N. climate summit, COP28, where world leaders aim to uphold the Paris Agreement’s warming target of 1.5°C.

The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP)

· UNEP is the leading environmental authority in the United Nations system, established in 1972.

· The UN Environment Assembly is the policy-making body of UNEP.

· UNEP is headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, and produces major reports such as the Global Environment Outlook and Adaptation Gap Report.

About the Report

The report tracks the gap between current global emissions trends based on country commitments and the emissions levels needed to limit warming to 1.5°C. It explores strategies to bridge this emissions gap.
The report assesses countries’ Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and their potential impact on global warming if fully implemented.

Major Highlights of the Report

Key Findings	Statistics / Details
Global Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions increase	Increased by 1.2% from 2021 to 2022.
Days exceeding the 1.5°C temperature threshold	86 days in the current year have breached it.
Emissions trajectory for this century	Current emissions pledges may lead to nearly 3°C warming.
Required emissions reduction by 2030	A 42% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 to limit warming to 1.5°C.
Urgency of action	Immediate and unprecedented mitigation action is crucial.

India’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDCs) Goals

India’s 2015 NDC included eight goals, with three quantitative targets for 2030.
These targets were related to cumulative electric power capacity from non-fossil sources, reducing emissions intensity of GDP, and creating additional carbon sinks.
India’s updated NDC commits to reducing the emissions intensity of its GDP by 45% by 2030 compared to 2005 levels.
India also aims to achieve about 50% cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources by 2030.

AMIGOS IAS