adminBERLIN. — The chances of limiting global temperature increase to two degrees Celsius this century are swiftly diminishing, a new United Nations climate report warned yesterday, ahead of the body’s annual climate talks next week.
Global greenhouse gas emissions will be eight to 12 billion tonnes higher than target levels in 2020, even if surveyed countries stick to existing emission-reduction agreements, according to the UN Environment Programme report.
Scientists say avoiding the upper threshold of two degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) would avert the worst affects of climate change, but according to the report would likely require a slashing of emissions by 14 percent in 2020.
“The challenge we face is neither a technical nor policy one,” wrote UNEP chief Achim Steiner.
“It is political: the current pace of action is simply insufficient.”
UNEP officials were to present the report at a news conference in Berlin later yesterday.
The annual report projected 2020 greenhouse gas emissions would be about 59 billion tonnes, a billion tonnes higher than the estimate in last year’s report.
New data from China and updated modelling were cited for the increase. — AFP.
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