Syllabus: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment
Key Findings
- UN synthesis report released ahead of COP 30 in Belem, Brazil (next month).
- Countries poised to reduce emissions by only 17% of 2019 levels by 2035 significantly.
- Far below required targets: keeping earth from heating 1.5°C or 2°C by century’s end.
- Required emission cuts: 37% for 1.5°C, 57% for 2°C of 2019 levels by 2035.
Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)
- Synthesis based on countries’ updated NDCs (promises to cut fossil fuel emissions/plant forests).
- Only 64 out of 190 countries submitted updated NDCs until September 30 showing partial picture.
- India yet to submit updated NDCs after last submission in August 2022 pending revision.
Climate Action Pillars
- 73% of new NDCs include adaptation components beyond emissions reductions addressing climate impacts comprehensively.
- Adaptation refers to steps taken for ongoing and future warming impact mitigation strategies.
- NDCs include adaptation, finance, technology transfer, capacity building, loss and damage reflecting Paris Agreement scope.
Greenhouse Gas Emission Projections
- Total GHG emission: ~13 billion tonnes CO2 equivalent (2035) from new NDCs implementation.
- 6% below previous NDCs (submitted 2020-2022) showing marginal improvement in commitments.
Domestic Pledges
- Afforestation, reforestation, solar energy identified as options with greater support needed for implementation.
- Domestic pledges include tripling global renewable energy capacity by 2030, enhancing low-carbon hydrogen production.
- Expanding Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage (CCUS) capacity for emission reduction efforts globally.