A global climate monitoring organization has expressed concern that, despite significant progress made in combating climate change, momentum has stalled at a crucial point. The Climate Action Tracker, which evaluates over 40 countries contributing to more than 82 percent of global emissions, unveiled its latest findings during COP30 held in Belém, Brazil.
The analysis highlights that the Paris Agreement has effectively altered the course of global warming. A decade ago, projections suggested a potential temperature rise of 3.6 degrees Celsius by the century’s close; however, improvements have been made, bringing that estimate down to 2.6 degrees. Niklas Höhne from the NewClimate Institute acknowledged this progress, stating, “The Paris Agreement has worked. We are now a full degree better than we were 10 years ago.”
Despite this advancement, Höhne warned that progress has stagnated over the past four years, as nations have not strengthened their climate targets for 2030— pivotal in protecting the most vulnerable populations. He asserted, “If you are serious about 1.5 degrees, you need to update your 2030 targets. 2035 is too late.” According to the report, while new commitments aimed at 2035 have been made, the projected temperature increase remains unaltered at 2.6 degrees.
Among the monitored governments, Höhne noted that “almost none” have enhanced their 2030 targets. The report indicates that global emissions persist in rising, further worsening extreme weather occurrences, such as heatwaves, storms, and floods.
On a brighter note, the report points to an encouraging trend: the rapid growth of renewable energy sources could lead to a significant decrease in emissions once a peak is realized. The central message from Belém is clear: while the world has the necessary tools to address climate change, urgent and immediate actions from leaders are essential.
These conclusions echo previous reports from various organizations, which stress the urgent need for enhanced climate action. The recent Emissions Gap Report from the UN Environment Programme highlighted that current climate pledges are inadequate to meaningfully change temperature forecasts, calling on countries to commit to aggressive emission reductions. This aligns with UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ call for swift and decisive measures to meet the targets necessary to limit global temperature increases.
As the world faces the ongoing consequences of climate change, there remains a source of optimism in the form of technological innovations and an increasing emphasis on renewable energy investments. The current landscape presents a critical opportunity for global collaboration and innovation, demonstrating that with commitment from world leaders, remarkable progress can be made in the fight against climate change.