The United Nations Environment Programme warns global emissions must fall 18% by 2030 and 45% by 2045 to limit warming to 1.7°C. Its latest assessment says the 1.5°C threshold will likely be exceeded, while existing policies could cause 2.8°C warming. UNEP urges stronger climate action and methane reductions worldwide.

The world must reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 18% over the next four years and by 45% by 2045 to prevent global temperatures from exceeding international climate targets by a dangerous margin, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has warned.

In its latest report on the gap between climate commitments and actual policies, UNEP said the opportunity to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels had effectively closed. However, countries could still prevent temperatures from rising far beyond that threshold by taking immediate action.

The report found that governments were failing to convert their long-term climate commitments into effective short-term measures, despite the rapid expansion of renewable energy.

Global Emissions Remain High Despite Renewable Energy Growth