Simon Stiell: Current climate plans insufficient… there’s need to cut emissions by 43%

Simon Stiell, the executive secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), says there is a critical need to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions by 43 percent by 2030. 

In a statement on Monday, Stiell said the newly released synthesis report of nationally determined contributions (NDC) must signal the end of inadequate responses, urging countries to deliver bolder climate actions.

He noted that current climate plans are far from sufficient to prevent global warming from devastating economies and threatening billions of lives and livelihoods worldwide.

Stiell said new climate plans are essential for fostering greater investment, economic growth, and opportunities, as well as creating more jobs, reducing pollution, improving health, lowering costs, and ensuring secure and affordable clean energy.

He added that greenhouse gas emissions must be reduced by 60 percent to keep global warming below 1.5°C this century and avert the worst climate impacts.

Stiell said the new NDCs due next year must provide a clear roadmap for increasing renewable energy, enhancing adaptation efforts, and speeding up the transition to low-carbon economies globally.

“By contrast, much bolder new national climate plans cannot only avert climate chaos – done well, they can be transformational for people and prosperity in every nation,” he said.

“With countries currently working to put together new NDCs due next year, this year’s report shows only fractional progress compared to what is expected – and urgently needed – next year.

“Current plans combined – if fully implemented – would see emissions of 51.5 gigatonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2030 – a level only 2.6 percent lower than in 2019.

“Greenhouse gas pollution at these levels will guarantee a human and economic trainwreck for every country, without exception.

“Greenhouse gas emissions need to be cut 43 percent by 2030, compared to 2019 levels. By 2035, net global greenhouse gas emissions need to be cut by 60 percent compared to 2019 levels.

“The next round of national climate plans must deliver a dramatic step up in climate action and ambition.

“They must have ambitious new emissions targets that are economy-wide, covering all greenhouse gases.

“They must be broken down into sectors and gases. And they must be credible, backed up by substantive regulations, laws, and funding to ensure goals are met and plans implemented.

“New NDCs should also detail adaptation priorities and investments to protect critical sectors, infrastructure and people from climate impacts, and support and align with national adaptation plan processes.

“They should have a time horizon to 2035, with much stronger 2030 targets to drive the deep emissions cuts needed globally this decade.

”COP29 is a vital moment in the world’s climate fight. Governments must come to Baku ready to convert the pledges in the UAE Consensus at COP28 –  tripling renewables, the global goal on adaptation, transitioning away from all fossil fuels.”