As greenhouse gas emissions hit new highs, temperature records tumble and climate impacts intensify, the Emissions Gap Report 2023: Broken Record – Temperatures hit new highs, yet world fails to cut emissions (again) finds that the world is heading for a temperature rise far above the Paris Agreement goals unless countries deliver more than they have promised. The report is the 14th edition in a series that brings together many of the world’s top climate scientists to look at future trends in greenhouse gas emissions and provide potential solutions to the challenge of global warming.
Key messages
The world is setting alarming emissions and temperature records, which intensify extreme weather events and other climate impacts across the globe.
Despite the accelerating climate disasters, insufficient mitigation efforts mean the world is on track for a temperature rise far beyond agreed climate goals during this century.
The world needs to cut 2030 emissions by 28 per cent to get on a least-cost pathway for the 2°C goal of the Paris Agreement and 42 per cent for the 1.5°C goal.
There has been progress since the Paris Agreement was signed, but significantly ramping up implementation in this decade is the only way to keep the window open for limiting global warming to 1.5°C without significant overshoot.
All nations must accelerate economy-wide, low-carbon development transformations.
Low- and middle-income countries face economic and institutional challenges in low-carbon development transitions but can also seize opportunities.
The first Global Stocktake (GST) at COP28 will provide a framework for building new ambition. Further delay of stringent global GHG emissions reductions will increase future reliance on carbon dioxide removal.