Posted on October, 28 2024

(Monday 28 October): Two major new climate reports present a double warning to the world. 

Greenhouse gas concentrations have surged to a new record in 2023 according to the World Meteorological Organization. At the same time, the UN’s NDC Synthesis report shows that current national climate plans would see emissions drop by just 2.6% from 2019 levels by the end of the decade - nowhere near enough to prevent catastrophic environmental and economic consequences.

Ahead of the UN climate summit COP29, WWF is calling for a reset in climate action and finance from countries around the world. It is crucial that nations come forward over the course of the next year with more ambitious, specific, and credible climate commitments that are aligned with limiting global warming to 1.5°C.

Shirley Matheson, WWF Global NDC Enhancement Coordinator, said: “New national climate plans due over the next twelve months must set clear, economy-wide emissions targets covering all greenhouse gases. It must break down targets by sectors, while setting practical and enforceable policies and funding to achieve these goals. Adaptation priorities must be explicitly laid out, with funding directed at critical sectors and infrastructure, and communities most vulnerable to climate impacts.”

The next few months represent an important opportunity for governments to lay out practical action in climate plans and biodiversity commitments, says Matheson. “With more than 85% of countries already missing the deadline to submit national biodiversity plans ahead of the Biodiversity Convention, currently underway in Cali, Colombia, we have yet to see signs that governments are planning to respond with the necessary haste and seriousness as we approach the deadline for national climate plans. Nature is the climate's secret ally, and with full engagement on both fronts, we may avoid reaching irreversible tipping points.”

Stephen Cornelius, WWF Global Deputy Climate and Energy Lead, said: “High greenhouse gas levels were unfortunately just one of many climate records broken in 2023. This must serve as a wakeup call to decision-makers heading to the UN climate talks in two weeks. The steeply rising concentrations of carbon dioxide and methane due to human activities lead to worse extreme weather events, deeper economic risks, and severe, irreversible impacts on ecosystems. Inaction raises the stakes, not only for meeting climate targets but for the health, security, and wellbeing of people everywhere.”   

Without immediate action, we will not meet the 2030 goal of decreasing carbon dioxide emissions by at least 43%. “These reports show that there are many feasible and cost-effective solutions to address the gaps in actions, and that will get governments back on track to the 1.5°C goal - like renewable energy - and we must act on these now,” he says.

All eyes are tuned to the climate conference in November to secure the necessary finance for developing countries to access these solutions.

Notes:
 

WWF’s COP29 Expectations paper is available here.

WWF's NDCsWeWant Checklist, sets out what ambitious national climate plans should include.

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