Abuja – The existing policies and strong engagement by nations that submitted their Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) ahead of Paris climate meeting will limit anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emission by 2030.
This is contained in a statement issued by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) in Geneva on Friday and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) online in Abuja.
The statement said that a report released by UNEP stated that a new climate agreement could further encourage further action to limit global temperature rise to 2°Celsus by 2100.
“The Emissions Gap Report is an authoritative assessment undertaken by a team of leading scientists and modelling experts from around the world.
“The report presents an assessment of the 119 INDCs submitted the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) by 1 October, 2015.
“It is covering 146 countries (including the European Union submitting as a bloc) and up to 88 per cent of global GHG emissions in 2012,’’ he said.
According to the statement, the INDCs represent GHG emission reductions of four to six gigatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per year (GtCO2e/yr) in 2030 compared to projected emissions under current policy trajectories.
The statement, however, quoted UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner, as saying: “the current INDCs, combined with policies over the last few years, present a real increase in ambition levels.[pro_ad_display_adzone id=”70560″]
“The INDCs also demonstrate an unprecedented commitment and engagement by member states in tackling this major global challenge.
“It assessed in this Emissions Gap report signal a breakthrough in terms of international efforts to bend the curve of future emissions.
“While in themselves not sufficient to limit global temperature rise to the recommended level of 2°C this century, they represent a historic step in the direction of decarbonizing our economies.
“However, in order to close the gap it is essential that the Paris Agreement adopt a dynamic approach in which ambitions, the mobilisation of climate finance and other forms of cooperation can be adjusted upwards at regular intervals.”
In addition, the statement noted that if all INDCs were fully implemented, the 2030 emissions gap would still be 12 GtCO2e, putting the world on track to a temperature rise of around 3°Celsus by 2100, and bringing significant climate impacts. (NAN)