Introduction
Climate change has become one of the most severe global challenges of the 21st century. According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Emissions Gap Report 2024, the current status of global greenhouse gas emissions not only significantly exceeds the temperature goals set by scientists to avoid catastrophic climate consequences, but the pace of emission reductions remains sluggish. This report analyzes the current state of global climate action and provides specific policy recommendations aimed at helping countries bridge the “emissions gap” — the difference between the emission reduction targets countries have committed to and the actual reductions needed to meet those targets.
The urgency of the climate crisis is not just an environmental issue; it permeates social, economic, and human security dimensions. Due to the continuous rise in greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere, global warming is accelerating at a troubling pace, with extreme weather events becoming more frequent, glaciers melting, sea levels rising, and biodiversity loss intensifying. According to the scientific consensus, to limit global warming to 1.5°C, global greenhouse gas emissions must peak by 2025 and decline by at least 43% by 2030. However, current emission reduction efforts are far from meeting these goals, and global emissions continue to rise, necessitating immediate and stronger actions.
The Current State of Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Global Emissions Growth Trends
According to the 2024 report, global greenhouse gas emissions are still on an upward trajectory. While emissions briefly decreased during the economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, this change was only temporary. During subsequent economic recovery, global emissions rapidly rebounded, and no fundamental changes were made. The UNEP report indicates that while many countries have set carbon neutrality targets, these commitments are progressing slowly. Particularly in high-emission countries and emerging economies, significant economic and technical challenges hinder emission reductions.
The major sources of global emissions remain the burning of fossil fuels, agricultural activities, industrial manufacturing, and transportation. In recent years, while there has been an increase in investments and usage of renewable energy, fossil fuel consumption still dominates, particularly in countries and regions with high energy demand. Although many nations have pledged to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, the current pace of emission reductions is far behind the required speed.
The Emissions Gap and Temperature Targets
The scientific community has clearly indicated that to keep global temperature rise below 1.5°C, global greenhouse gas emissions must be reduced by 43% by 2030. However, the current emission trends and countries’ reduction commitments show a significant “emissions gap.” According to the UNEP report, despite countries’ widespread commitments to emission reductions by 2030 under the Paris Agreement, the actual reductions are insufficient to meet the increasingly dire climate challenges.
The global “emissions gap” is not only reflected in the difference between countries’ actions but also in the gap in policy implementation. Many countries have set ambitious targets, but lack of effective policies and financial support has resulted in these targets often remaining mere promises. Particularly in developing countries, where funding, technology, and economic development needs are more pressing, emission reduction efforts face even greater challenges.
The Gap Between Countries’ Commitments and Actual Actions
Responsibilities of High-emission Countries
The primary contributors to global greenhouse gas emissions are a few developed countries and emerging economies. For example, the United States, China, India, and the European Union account for a significant share of global emissions. The climate policies and actions of these countries and regions are critical to addressing global climate change. However, while these countries have made certain commitments, there is a large gap between those commitments and the actual implementation of climate policies.
The United States, for example, has experienced significant shifts in its climate actions. Under the Trump administration, the U.S. withdrew from the Paris Agreement and relaxed regulations on the fossil fuel industry. However, under the Biden administration, the U.S. rejoined the Paris Agreement and set a target to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Despite this, U.S. emissions remain relatively high, particularly in the transportation and industrial sectors. The United States needs to implement stricter policies, accelerate the transition to renewable energy, and strengthen carbon markets and carbon pricing mechanisms.
China, as the world’s largest carbon emitter, has made significant progress in green energy development and low-carbon technologies, such as investing heavily in renewable energy and leading the world in electric vehicle production. However, because China’s energy structure is still heavily reliant on coal, and some regions are progressing more slowly with emission reductions, overall emissions remain high. China’s target of reaching carbon peak by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060 is ambitious, but the country still faces substantial challenges in meeting these goals.
India, the third-largest emitter globally, faces even greater challenges. India’s carbon emissions primarily come from agriculture, transportation, and electricity generation. Due to its rapid population growth and development needs, India has limited capacity to reduce emissions. The Indian government has committed to increasing renewable energy usage and improving energy efficiency, but due to a lack of sufficient funding and technology, the pace of emissions reductions remains slow.
Challenges for Developing Countries
Developing countries face more complex emission reduction challenges. Many of these countries’ economies still depend on fossil fuels, and they lack the necessary technology and funding to transition to a low-carbon economy. Additionally, many of these countries lack effective climate policies and implementation capacity, which makes it difficult for them to meet their emission reduction commitments under international climate agreements. For example, many countries in Africa and Latin America rely on external climate finance and technology transfers to meet emission reduction targets, but global climate finance remains insufficient and poorly distributed.
The Need for Accelerated Global Emissions Reductions
Key to Achieving Global Climate Targets
To meet global climate targets, emissions must peak by 2025 and decrease significantly by 2030. To close the “emissions gap,” countries must adopt more urgent and feasible mitigation measures. This includes transitioning energy systems, significantly increasing renewable energy deployment, improving energy efficiency, promoting electric vehicles, and enhancing carbon capture and storage technologies. Additionally, international climate finance and technology transfer are essential for supporting emission reductions in developing countries.
Implementing Specific Mitigation Measures
To achieve emission reduction targets, countries must implement a range of specific policy measures. For example, carbon pricing mechanisms, such as carbon taxes or emissions trading schemes, can incentivize businesses and individuals to reduce emissions. Energy efficiency improvements are also key to mitigation, particularly through retrofitting buildings, upgrading industrial facilities, and modernizing transportation systems. Furthermore, the widespread adoption of renewable energy is central to global emission reductions, and requires increased investments in solar, wind, and hydropower, as well as the development of accompanying grid infrastructure.
The Dual Strategy of Climate Adaptation and Mitigation
As global climate change intensifies, both mitigation and adaptation are critical strategies. Mitigation refers to reducing greenhouse gas emissions to slow down climate change, while adaptation involves taking measures to minimize the negative impacts of climate change. Both strategies need to be pursued in parallel, especially in vulnerable regions where adaptation is crucial. For example, extreme weather events caused by climate change, such as floods, droughts, and heatwaves, are already severely impacting many countries. In this context, building more climate-resilient infrastructure, improving disaster warning systems, and enhancing agricultural and water resource management are essential measures for adapting to climate change.
The Role and Challenges of International Cooperation
Addressing climate change is a global task that requires international cooperation. Countries must work together under the framework of the Paris Agreement to collectively advance global emission reductions. At the same time, global climate finance and technology transfer are vital components of international cooperation, particularly for developing countries, which face more significant barriers in implementing emission reduction measures due to a lack of funds and technology.
However, international cooperation faces several challenges. For example, there are significant differences between developed and developing countries on the allocation of climate finance. Developed countries are expected to take on more of the emission reduction burden and provide financial and technological support to developing countries to help them meet their climate goals. Unfortunately, funding for climate action is insufficient, and there is a lack of transparency and equity in the distribution of funds.
Future Outlook and Policy Recommendations
The UNEP Emissions Gap Report 2024 emphasizes that to avoid catastrophic climate impacts, global cooperation and urgent action are necessary. Policy recommendations include strengthening carbon markets, increasing investments in renewable energy, promoting the use of green technologies, and scaling up climate finance, particularly for the most vulnerable countries. Further, the importance of climate adaptation policies cannot be understated, as countries must build resilience against the inevitable impacts of climate change.
Ultimately, global climate action requires a fundamental shift in how the world approaches energy, transportation, agriculture, and industrial production. Only through bold, coordinated action can we close the emissions gap and secure a sustainable future for all.
