On the occasion of International Coastal Cleanup Day 2025 (ICC-2025), which is observed globally on the third Saturday of September, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG)led the coastal cleanup efforts of Government agencies and over 26,000 volunteers across all Coastal States and Union Territories.&nbsp;The ICC is observed under the aegis of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the South Asia Co-operative Environment Programme (SACEP). It seeks to combat marine pollution through mass community participation.&nbsp;The ICG has been the national coordinator for this vital initiative since 2006, consistently fostering public awareness and environmental stewardship.Across India, participation by enthusiastic NCC cadets, NSS, school and college students highlighted the level of awareness among the young generation and their commitment towards clean beaches.&nbsp;Participants were engaged in extensive beach cleanup drives, removing litter and marine debris to restore coastal health. Beyond physical cleaning, the event also focused on sensitizing citizens about the adverse effects of marine pollution and the need for sustainable practices to protect fragile marine ecosystems.&nbsp;Commending the collaborative efforts, the ICG lauded the enthusiasm and commitment of all stakeholders whose contributions made ICC-2025 a grand success. The event reaffirmed a collective resolve to protect India’s more than 11,000 km long coastline and advance the goals of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan(Clean India Mission).&nbsp;The ICG continues to urge citizens to adopt eco-friendly practices and actively participate in environmental conservation initiatives, ensuring a cleaner, safer, and sustainable marine environment for future generations.

The ICC is observed under the aegis of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the South Asia Co-operative Environment Programme (SACEP). It seeks to combat marine pollution through mass community participation.

On the occasion of International Coastal Cleanup Day 2025 (ICC-2025), which is observed globally on the third Saturday of September, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG)led the coastal cleanup efforts of Government agencies and over 26,000 volunteers across all Coastal States and Union Territories. The ICC is observed under the aegis of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the South Asia Co-operative Environment Programme (SACEP). It seeks to combat marine pollution through mass community participation. The ICG has been the national coordinator for this vital initiative since 2006, consistently fostering public awareness and environmental stewardship. Across India, participation by enthusiastic NCC cadets, NSS, school and college students highlighted the level of awareness among the young generation and their commitment towards clean beaches. Participants were engaged in extensive beach cleanup drives, removing litter and marine debris to restore coastal health. Beyond physical cleaning, the event also focused on sensitizing citizens about the adverse effects of marine pollution and the need for sustainable practices to protect fragile marine ecosystems. Commending the collaborative efforts, the ICG lauded the enthusiasm and commitment of all stakeholders whose contributions made ICC-2025 a grand success. The event reaffirmed a collective resolve to protect India’s more than 11,000 km long coastline and advance the goals of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan(Clean India Mission). The ICG continues to urge citizens to adopt eco-friendly practices and actively participate in environmental conservation initiatives, ensuring a cleaner, safer, and sustainable marine environment for future generations.

The ICC is observed under the aegis of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the South Asia Co-operative Environment Programme (SACEP). It seeks to combat marine pollution through mass community participation.

India: Coast Guard leads nationwide efforts on Int'l Coastal Cleanup Day

Harmful waste produced by the public is set to surge by 2050. The United Nations Environment Programme has warned in its report that the rise in waste will cause hundreds of billions of dollars in damage through biodiversity loss, adding that it will potentially cause climate change with rise in pollution levels.

Harmful waste generation set to surge by 2050: UNEP | WION Climate Tracker

Saudi Arabia wastes 50 per cent of an estimated 1.3 billion tonnes of food wasted across the world, according to a report by Gulf News citing Chef Laila Fathalla, a United Nations Environment Programme advocate for reducing food waste.&nbsp;

<h2>Saudi Arabia’s food wastage</h2>

According to the United Nations Food Waste Programme, the kingdom tops the list of countries which contribute the most to food waste every year, accounting for up to 50 per cent of the waste.&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;Saudi Arabia accounts for nearly half of world's annual food wastage

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/saudi-arabia-accounts-for-nearly-half-of-worlds-annual-food-wastage-680484/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Saudi Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture, Abdul Rahman bin Abdul Mohsen Al Fadhli confirmed the UN’s findings while acknowledging the cost of food wastage.&nbsp;

According to the report, wasting food costs the kingdom SR40 billion ($10.6 billion) every year. The rate of food wastage exceeds 33 per cent, said the Saudi minister, referring to the data from the study conducted by the National Programme to Reduce Food Loss and Waste.

The country’s General Food Security Authority (GFSA) following the report’s release in October last year initiated a comprehensive awareness campaign to highlight the importance of food security and encourage responsible consumption practices, reported Gulf News.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/international-day-of-awareness-on-food-loss-and-waste-reduction-heres-how-food-waste-affects-the-environment-640920">&nbsp;Explained | Int’l day of awareness of food loss &amp; waste reduction: Here's how food waste affects environment</a>

A study by the Saudi Grains Organisation (Sago) last year found that 4.06 million tonnes of food is wasted each year, with an average individual contribution of about 184 kg&nbsp;of food waste.

The nationwide study also found that vegetable waste alone exceeds 335,000 tonnes annually.&nbsp;

The nation of around 32.2 million people also wastes hundreds of thousands of tonnes of staple foods, including 917,000 tonnes of flour and bread and 557,000 tonnes of rice.&nbsp;

Fathalla has called for a collective effort to foster a culture of moderation and reduce waste in the country to combat the food waste crisis.&nbsp;

She also suggested a number of pragmatic measures including cooking food in quantities that meet a family’s needs, being mindful when buying food, and donating extra food.&nbsp;

<h2>What is food 'wastage'?</h2>

Food “wastage” refers to any food lost by deterioration or waste and encompasses both food “loss” and food “waste,” according to the UN Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO).&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-zealands-refugee-lawmaker-resigns-over-shoplifting-allegations-680498">New Zealand's 'refugee' lawmaker resigns over shoplifting allegations</a>

Every year, a staggering 1.6 billion tonnes of food is wasted across the world out of which, 1.3 billion tonnes is edible, according to the FAO.&nbsp;

This amount of food wastage also reportedly costs the world at least $750 billion annually.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Saudi Arabia wastes 50 per cent of an estimated 1.3 billion tonnes of food wasted across the world, according to a report by Gulf News citing Chef Laila Fathalla, a United Nations Environment Programme advocate for reducing food waste.

Saudi Arabia wastes 50 per cent of an estimated 1.3 billion tonnes of food wasted across the world, according to a report by Gulf News citing Chef Laila Fathalla, a United Nations Environment Programme advocate for reducing food waste. Saudi Arabia’s food wastage According to the United Nations Food Waste Programme, the kingdom tops the list of countries which contribute the most to food waste every year, accounting for up to 50 per cent of the waste. WATCH | Saudi Arabia accounts for nearly half of world's annual food wastage Saudi Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture, Abdul Rahman bin Abdul Mohsen Al Fadhli confirmed the UN’s findings while acknowledging the cost of food wastage. According to the report, wasting food costs the kingdom SR40 billion ($10.6 billion) every year. The rate of food wastage exceeds 33 per cent, said the Saudi minister, referring to the data from the study conducted by the National Programme to Reduce Food Loss and Waste. The country’s General Food Security Authority (GFSA) following the report’s release in October last year initiated a comprehensive awareness campaign to highlight the importance of food security and encourage responsible consumption practices, reported Gulf News. ALSO READ | Explained | Int’l day of awareness of food loss & waste reduction: Here's how food waste affects environment A study by the Saudi Grains Organisation (Sago) last year found that 4.06 million tonnes of food is wasted each year, with an average individual contribution of about 184 kg of food waste. The nationwide study also found that vegetable waste alone exceeds 335,000 tonnes annually. The nation of around 32.2 million people also wastes hundreds of thousands of tonnes of staple foods, including 917,000 tonnes of flour and bread and 557,000 tonnes of rice. Fathalla has called for a collective effort to foster a culture of moderation and reduce waste in the country to combat the food waste crisis. She also suggested a number of pragmatic measures including cooking food in quantities that meet a family’s needs, being mindful when buying food, and donating extra food. What is food 'wastage'? Food “wastage” refers to any food lost by deterioration or waste and encompasses both food “loss” and food “waste,” according to the UN Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO). ALSO READ | New Zealand's 'refugee' lawmaker resigns over shoplifting allegations Every year, a staggering 1.6 billion tonnes of food is wasted across the world out of which, 1.3 billion tonnes is edible, according to the FAO. This amount of food wastage also reportedly costs the world at least $750 billion annually. (With inputs from agencies)

Saudi Arabia accounts for half of annual global food waste: Report

The greenhouse gas reduction pledges adopted by the countries are insufficient to attain the pre-industrial level global temperatures, the United Nations said in its report on Monday (Nov 19).

The UN Environment Programme’s (UNEP) annual Emissions Gap report said that based on existing policies and emissions-cutting efforts, the planet’s temperature could still go up to a catastrophic 2.9 degrees Celsius by 2100.

The report, which was released just ahead of crucial COP28 climate talks, warns that nations' decarbonisation plans would still see the planet heat between 2.5C and 2.9C by this century.

It also noted that 2023 would be the hottest in human history, adding that “the world is witnessing a disturbing acceleration in the number, speed and scale of broken climate records”.

“Due to the failure to stringently reduce emissions in high-income and high-emitting countries (which bear the greatest responsibility for past emissions) and to limit emissions growth in low- and middle-income countries (which account for the majority of current emissions), unprecedented action is now needed by all countries,” the report said.

<h2>World continues to pump record levels of emissions&nbsp;</h2>

It said that the world continues to pump record levels of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, with emissions up 1.2 per cent from 2021 to 2022, thanks to the burning of fossil fuels and industrial processes.

UNEP chief Inger Andersen urged the G20 nations – the world’s wealthiest economies responsible for around 80 per cent of emissions –to lead on reductions, but noted some were in “snooze mode”.

“It is absolutely critical that the G-20 step up,” she said, according to AFP news agency.

The UNEP report stated that the Paris Agreement goals can still be fulfilled if countries adopt strong mitigation measures this decade to narrow the emissions gap.

<h2>Silver lining&nbsp;</h2>

Under the 2015 deal, countries had agreed to limit global warming at “well below” 2 degrees C above pre-industrial times – with a safer limit of 1.5 degrees C if possible.

However till this year, countries have already emitted nearly 1.2 degrees C of global heating, the impact of which could be seen across the planet, the report said.

UNEP said temperatures have gone above 1.5 degrees C for more than 80 days already in 2023, although the Paris warming thresholds will be measured as an average over several decades.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/explained-a-timeline-of-sam-altmans-troubled-journey-from-openai-to-microsoft-660785">Explained | Boardroom battle: Timeline of Sam Altman’s quick journey from OpenAI to Microsoft</a>

However, the UNEP chief expressed optimism in making progress in the upcoming COP28 summit on Nov 30 in Dubai, despite the fissures caused by the Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas conflicts.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-is-abraham-rami-ungar-israeli-businessman-whose-vessel-was-hijacked-by-houthis-660697">Who is Abraham Rami Ungar—Israeli businessman whose vessel was hijacked by Houthis?</a>

“Countries and delegations understand that irrespective of these deep divisions that do exist and that are undeniable, the environment doesn’t wait and climate most certainly will not,” she said.

(With inputs from agencies)

The greenhouse gas reduction pledges adopted by the countries are insufficient to attain the pre-industrial level global temperatures, the United Nations said in its report on Monday (Nov 19).

The greenhouse gas reduction pledges adopted by the countries are insufficient to attain the pre-industrial level global temperatures, the United Nations said in its report on Monday (Nov 19). The UN Environment Programme’s (UNEP) annual Emissions Gap report said that based on existing policies and emissions-cutting efforts, the planet’s temperature could still go up to a catastrophic 2.9 degrees Celsius by 2100. The report, which was released just ahead of crucial COP28 climate talks, warns that nations' decarbonisation plans would still see the planet heat between 2.5C and 2.9C by this century. It also noted that 2023 would be the hottest in human history, adding that “the world is witnessing a disturbing acceleration in the number, speed and scale of broken climate records”. “Due to the failure to stringently reduce emissions in high-income and high-emitting countries (which bear the greatest responsibility for past emissions) and to limit emissions growth in low- and middle-income countries (which account for the majority of current emissions), unprecedented action is now needed by all countries,” the report said. World continues to pump record levels of emissions It said that the world continues to pump record levels of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, with emissions up 1.2 per cent from 2021 to 2022, thanks to the burning of fossil fuels and industrial processes. UNEP chief Inger Andersen urged the G20 nations – the world’s wealthiest economies responsible for around 80 per cent of emissions –to lead on reductions, but noted some were in “snooze mode”. “It is absolutely critical that the G-20 step up,” she said, according to AFP news agency. The UNEP report stated that the Paris Agreement goals can still be fulfilled if countries adopt strong mitigation measures this decade to narrow the emissions gap. Silver lining Under the 2015 deal, countries had agreed to limit global warming at “well below” 2 degrees C above pre-industrial times – with a safer limit of 1.5 degrees C if possible. However till this year, countries have already emitted nearly 1.2 degrees C of global heating, the impact of which could be seen across the planet, the report said. UNEP said temperatures have gone above 1.5 degrees C for more than 80 days already in 2023, although the Paris warming thresholds will be measured as an average over several decades. Also read | Explained | Boardroom battle: Timeline of Sam Altman’s quick journey from OpenAI to Microsoft However, the UNEP chief expressed optimism in making progress in the upcoming COP28 summit on Nov 30 in Dubai, despite the fissures caused by the Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas conflicts. Also read | Who is Abraham Rami Ungar—Israeli businessman whose vessel was hijacked by Houthis? “Countries and delegations understand that irrespective of these deep divisions that do exist and that are undeniable, the environment doesn’t wait and climate most certainly will not,” she said. (With inputs from agencies)

Current climate pledges could still see Earth warming up to 'catastrophic' 2.9C: UN report

Global fossil fuel production in the next seven years will be more than double the levels pushing the world far beyond the climate goals, including the 1.5 degree Celsius target, set under the 2015 Paris climate agreement, said the United Nations and researchers, on Wednesday (Nov 8).&nbsp;

The UN Environment Programme’s (UNEP) Production Gap report comes ahead of the COP28 climate conference which will take place later this month, where the future of fossil fuels is set to be a key point of discussion.&nbsp;

<h2>What did the UNEP report find?</h2>

The report assesses the gap in fossil fuel production cuts and what’s needed to meet climate goals. “Fossil fuel phase out is one of the pivotal issues that will be negotiated at COP 28,” said Ploy Achakulwisut, Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) scientist and a lead author of the report said in a press briefing.&nbsp;

She added, “We need countries to commit to a phase out of all fossil fuels to keep the 1.5C goal alive.” Leaders from across the world are set to convene for the global COP 28 climate meeting starting November 30, in the oil-rich nation of United Arab Emirates (UAE).&nbsp;

Under the Paris climate deal, nations have committed to a long-term goal of limiting average global temperature to less than two degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and even try to limit them further to 1.5 degrees Celsius.&nbsp;

However, the report analysed 20 major fossil fuel producers and found they plan to produce a total of 110 per cent more fossil fuels than what would be consistent with limiting the degree of warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, and 69 per cent more than would be consistent with two degree Celsius.&nbsp;

The report also noted that none of the 20 countries – which account for 82 per cent of production and 73 per cent of consumption of the world’s fossil fuel supply – have committed to reducing coal, oil, and gas production in line with limiting the warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.&nbsp;

This comes as burning fossil fuel has been attributed as the main cause of climate change as it accounts for most of the planet-heating carbon pollution driving global warming.&nbsp;

<h2>Calls for unity ahead of COP28</h2>

“Governments’ plans to expand fossil fuel production are undermining the energy transition needed to achieve net-zero emissions, throwing humanity’s future into question,” said UNEP Executive Director, Inger Andersen.&nbsp;

She also called for nations to “unite behind a managed and equitable phase-out of coal, oil and gas – to ease the turbulence ahead and benefit every person on this planet.” The countries analysed include Australia, China, Norway, Qatar, Britain, the UAE and the United States.

Out of the 20 countries, 17 have pledged to reach net zero emissions but continue to promote subsidies, support and plan the expansion of fossil fuel production, said the report.&nbsp;

In fact, the US which aims to reach net zero emissions by 2050 has accelerated domestic production of oil and gas since the Russian invasion of Ukraine.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Global fossil fuel production in the next seven years will be more than double the levels pushing the world far beyond the climate goals, including the 1.5 degree Celsius target, set under the 2015 Paris climate agreement, said the United Nations and researchers, on Wednesday (Nov 8).

Global fossil fuel production in the next seven years will be more than double the levels pushing the world far beyond the climate goals, including the 1.5 degree Celsius target, set under the 2015 Paris climate agreement, said the United Nations and researchers, on Wednesday (Nov 8). The UN Environment Programme’s (UNEP) Production Gap report comes ahead of the COP28 climate conference which will take place later this month, where the future of fossil fuels is set to be a key point of discussion. What did the UNEP report find? The report assesses the gap in fossil fuel production cuts and what’s needed to meet climate goals. “Fossil fuel phase out is one of the pivotal issues that will be negotiated at COP 28,” said Ploy Achakulwisut, Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) scientist and a lead author of the report said in a press briefing. She added, “We need countries to commit to a phase out of all fossil fuels to keep the 1.5C goal alive.” Leaders from across the world are set to convene for the global COP 28 climate meeting starting November 30, in the oil-rich nation of United Arab Emirates (UAE). Under the Paris climate deal, nations have committed to a long-term goal of limiting average global temperature to less than two degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and even try to limit them further to 1.5 degrees Celsius. However, the report analysed 20 major fossil fuel producers and found they plan to produce a total of 110 per cent more fossil fuels than what would be consistent with limiting the degree of warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, and 69 per cent more than would be consistent with two degree Celsius. The report also noted that none of the 20 countries – which account for 82 per cent of production and 73 per cent of consumption of the world’s fossil fuel supply – have committed to reducing coal, oil, and gas production in line with limiting the warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. This comes as burning fossil fuel has been attributed as the main cause of climate change as it accounts for most of the planet-heating carbon pollution driving global warming. Calls for unity ahead of COP28 “Governments’ plans to expand fossil fuel production are undermining the energy transition needed to achieve net-zero emissions, throwing humanity’s future into question,” said UNEP Executive Director, Inger Andersen. She also called for nations to “unite behind a managed and equitable phase-out of coal, oil and gas – to ease the turbulence ahead and benefit every person on this planet.” The countries analysed include Australia, China, Norway, Qatar, Britain, the UAE and the United States. Out of the 20 countries, 17 have pledged to reach net zero emissions but continue to promote subsidies, support and plan the expansion of fossil fuel production, said the report. In fact, the US which aims to reach net zero emissions by 2050 has accelerated domestic production of oil and gas since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (With inputs from agencies)

Global fossil fuel production plans threaten 1.5 degree Celsius warming threshold: UN report

Climate change and antimicrobial resistance are two of the greatest threats to global health and according to a new report from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the role of climate change and other environmental factors are contributing to the rise of antimicrobial resistance. Mohammed Saleh brings you this report.

Antimicrobial resistance top global public health problem: UN | WION Climate Tracker

To guard Earth's ecosystems against the rising threat of climate change and a loss of natural resources, funds towards its&nbsp;protection need to double from current levels and reach $384 billion a year by 2025, said the UN's environment watchdog.

As per the UN Environment Programme's (UNEP) second "State of Finance for Nature" report, currently, $154 billion yearly is spent, primarily by governments, towards "nature-based solutions" or the protection and management of water, land, air and wildlife.

Watch |&nbsp;WION Climate Tracker: UN urges shipping industry to cut emissions

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-climate-tracker-un-urges-shipping-industry-to-cut-emissions-538839/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Ivo Mulder, head of UNEP's climate finance unit, said that this amount "will have to increase by several orders of magnitude if we are to tackle the triple crisis of land degradation, climate and nature."

Even if we are going through many crises, like the war in Ukraine and skyrocketing prices, he said, "It shouldn't be too hard a stretch&nbsp;given that almost 50 per cent of global GDP is dependent on healthy and well-functioning ecosystems."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/18-billion-thats-how-much-governments-fund-every-year-to-human-extinction-and-climate-change-454012">$1.8 billion; that's how much govt subsidies contribute every year to human extinction &amp; climate change</a>

Meanwhile, according to the agency's assessment, governments spend $500 billion to $1 trillion per year on subsidies for fisheries, agriculture, and fossil fuels, which could have negative environmental effects.

Despite their pledges to reduce carbon emissions and deforestation, private sector actors only account for 17&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;of investment&nbsp;in nature-based solutions, said UNEP adding that this means that they "will have to combine net zero with nature positive."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/climate-change-effect-snow-white-alps-turning-green-says-study-after-analysing-satellite-data-484609">Climate change effect: ‘Snow-white' Alps turning green, says study after analysing satellite data</a>

In order to do this, supply chains would need to be sustainable, activities that undermine biodiversity and climate goals would need to be reduced, and damages that could not be avoided would need to be compensated for by working with nature markets.

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

To guard Earth's ecosystems against the rising threat of climate change and a loss of natural resources, funds towards its protection need to double from current levels and reach $384 billion a year by 2025, said the UN's environment watchdog.

To guard Earth's ecosystems against the rising threat of climate change and a loss of natural resources, funds towards its protection need to double from current levels and reach $384 billion a year by 2025, said the UN's environment watchdog. As per the UN Environment Programme's (UNEP) second "State of Finance for Nature" report, currently, $154 billion yearly is spent, primarily by governments, towards "nature-based solutions" or the protection and management of water, land, air and wildlife. Watch | WION Climate Tracker: UN urges shipping industry to cut emissions Ivo Mulder, head of UNEP's climate finance unit, said that this amount "will have to increase by several orders of magnitude if we are to tackle the triple crisis of land degradation, climate and nature." Even if we are going through many crises, like the war in Ukraine and skyrocketing prices, he said, "It shouldn't be too hard a stretch given that almost 50 per cent of global GDP is dependent on healthy and well-functioning ecosystems." Also read | $1.8 billion; that's how much govt subsidies contribute every year to human extinction & climate change Meanwhile, according to the agency's assessment, governments spend $500 billion to $1 trillion per year on subsidies for fisheries, agriculture, and fossil fuels, which could have negative environmental effects. Despite their pledges to reduce carbon emissions and deforestation, private sector actors only account for 17 per cent of investment in nature-based solutions, said UNEP adding that this means that they "will have to combine net zero with nature positive." Also read | Climate change effect: ‘Snow-white' Alps turning green, says study after analysing satellite data In order to do this, supply chains would need to be sustainable, activities that undermine biodiversity and climate goals would need to be reduced, and damages that could not be avoided would need to be compensated for by working with nature markets. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

By 2025, funds for nature conservation must total $384 billion annually: UNEP

Dhaka is the noisiest city on the planet; here are the top ten loudest cities, recommended levels & more

During WION's climate summit, Divya Datt, programme management officer, UNEP, India has said that we should look at climate change as a half-empty glass and take action.

''If you look at the assessments that are being done today, and the science that is being generated, there is a target to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, compared to pre-industrial levels,'' she told WION's executive editor Palki Sharma Upadhyay during the first session of the summit.

''But even with unconditional commitments and all the pledges that the countries have taken we are looking at a rise in temperature of 2.7 degrees Celsius,'' she added.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
"Even with all the unconditional commitments and pledges by the countries, we are looking at an increase of 2.7 degrees Celsius by the end of the century," says <a href="https://twitter.com/divya_datt18?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@divya_datt18</a>, Programme Management Officer, UNEP<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WIONClimateSummit?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WIONClimateSummit</a> <a href="https://t.co/8e9h50is3S">pic.twitter.com/8e9h50is3S</a>
— WION (@WIONews) <a href="https://twitter.com/WIONews/status/1503688572787838977?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 15, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

''In many parts of the world we are seeing calamities at an unprecedented scale as a result of climate change,'' Datt said.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
For a lot of environmental crises, the solutions are there. But we need commitments, not just from the government, but from businesses and civil societies as well: <a href="https://twitter.com/divya_datt18?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@divya_datt18</a>, Programme Management Officer, UNEP<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WIONClimateSummit?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WIONClimateSummit</a> <a href="https://t.co/NcDWCbW58F">pic.twitter.com/NcDWCbW58F</a>
— WION (@WIONews) <a href="https://twitter.com/WIONews/status/1503692384915259394?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 15, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

''To reach that 1.5 degrees Celsius and reduce greenhouse emissions we need to fulfill net-zero commitments.''

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-climate-summit-climate-change-in-political-manifestos-are-we-looking-at-glass-half-full-462551/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The corporate world remains far from being aligned with global climate goals, and in some countries has gone backward since a landmark agreement to cap global warming was signed in 2015.

With this week's UN&nbsp;climate science report laying bare the staggering economic costs and losses already faced from climate change, an inevitable question arises: who should pay?

Within UN&nbsp;climate negotiations, "loss and damage" refers to the costs countries are incurring from climate-related impacts and disasters - costs that disproportionately hit the world's poor and vulnerable who did least to cause global warming.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/wion-climate-summit-former-norway-minister-mentions-inspiring-examples-from-india-462627" hreflang="en">WION Climate Summit: Former Norway minister Eric Solheim mentions 'inspiring examples' from India</a>

Drawing on more than 34,000 references from the latest scientific papers, the report released on Monday by the UN&nbsp;Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) confirmed that economic sectors from agriculture and fishing to tourism were already being damaged.

Extreme heat has fuelled crop losses. Rising seas have turbo-charged cyclones that have razed homes and infrastructure, slashing economic growth.

And as the bills mount up, poorer countries are left with even less to spend on heath, education and infrastructure – compounding suffering.

The report is likely to intensify a years-long political fight over funding to pay for climate-linked losses, ahead of the next UN&nbsp;climate summit, COP27, in Eygpt in November.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/wion-climate-summit-indian-policies-to-be-based-on-equity-and-climate-justice-says-environment-minister-462589" hreflang="en">WION Climate Summit: Indian policies based on equity and climate justice, says environment minister</a>

Vulnerable countries for years have sought funding to help them shoulder these costs. So far, it hasn't arrived, and rich nations have resisted steps that could legally assign liability or lead to compensation.

The mention of "loss and damage" in the 2015 Paris Agreement came with the caveat that it "does not involve or provide a basis for any liability or compensation".

Last November at the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow, poor countries called for a special "loss and damage" fund to be established, but the United States and other rich nations resisted. The delegates agreed to set up a U.N. body to help countries address loss and damage, and to continue discussions towards making "arrangements" for funding.

Last month, the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change warned that nine percent of all the world's species will likely be "at high risk" of extinction even if warming is capped at the ambitious Paris target of 1.5 degrees Celsius.

In 2019, a report by UN biodiversity experts said one million species could disappear in the coming decades, raising fears the world is entering a sixth era of mass extinction in the last half-billion years.

During WION's climate summit, Divya Datt, programme management officer, UNEP, India has said that we should look at climate change as a half-empty glass and take action.

During WION's climate summit, Divya Datt, programme management officer, UNEP, India has said that we should look at climate change as a half-empty glass and take action. ''If you look at the assessments that are being done today, and the science that is being generated, there is a target to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, compared to pre-industrial levels,'' she told WION's executive editor Palki Sharma Upadhyay during the first session of the summit. ''But even with unconditional commitments and all the pledges that the countries have taken we are looking at a rise in temperature of 2.7 degrees Celsius,'' she added. "Even with all the unconditional commitments and pledges by the countries, we are looking at an increase of 2.7 degrees Celsius by the end of the century," says @divya_datt18, Programme Management Officer, UNEP#WIONClimateSummit pic.twitter.com/8e9h50is3S — WION (@WIONews) March 15, 2022 × ''In many parts of the world we are seeing calamities at an unprecedented scale as a result of climate change,'' Datt said. For a lot of environmental crises, the solutions are there. But we need commitments, not just from the government, but from businesses and civil societies as well: @divya_datt18, Programme Management Officer, UNEP#WIONClimateSummit pic.twitter.com/NcDWCbW58F — WION (@WIONews) March 15, 2022 × ''To reach that 1.5 degrees Celsius and reduce greenhouse emissions we need to fulfill net-zero commitments.'' The corporate world remains far from being aligned with global climate goals, and in some countries has gone backward since a landmark agreement to cap global warming was signed in 2015. With this week's UN climate science report laying bare the staggering economic costs and losses already faced from climate change, an inevitable question arises: who should pay? Within UN climate negotiations, "loss and damage" refers to the costs countries are incurring from climate-related impacts and disasters - costs that disproportionately hit the world's poor and vulnerable who did least to cause global warming. Also read | WION Climate Summit: Former Norway minister Eric Solheim mentions 'inspiring examples' from India Drawing on more than 34,000 references from the latest scientific papers, the report released on Monday by the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) confirmed that economic sectors from agriculture and fishing to tourism were already being damaged. Extreme heat has fuelled crop losses. Rising seas have turbo-charged cyclones that have razed homes and infrastructure, slashing economic growth. And as the bills mount up, poorer countries are left with even less to spend on heath, education and infrastructure – compounding suffering. The report is likely to intensify a years-long political fight over funding to pay for climate-linked losses, ahead of the next UN climate summit, COP27, in Eygpt in November. Also read | WION Climate Summit: Indian policies based on equity and climate justice, says environment minister Vulnerable countries for years have sought funding to help them shoulder these costs. So far, it hasn't arrived, and rich nations have resisted steps that could legally assign liability or lead to compensation. The mention of "loss and damage" in the 2015 Paris Agreement came with the caveat that it "does not involve or provide a basis for any liability or compensation". Last November at the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow, poor countries called for a special "loss and damage" fund to be established, but the United States and other rich nations resisted. The delegates agreed to set up a U.N. body to help countries address loss and damage, and to continue discussions towards making "arrangements" for funding. Last month, the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change warned that nine percent of all the world's species will likely be "at high risk" of extinction even if warming is capped at the ambitious Paris target of 1.5 degrees Celsius. In 2019, a report by UN biodiversity experts said one million species could disappear in the coming decades, raising fears the world is entering a sixth era of mass extinction in the last half-billion years.

We should look at climate change as a half-empty glass and take action, UNEP's Divya Datt tells WION

UNEP report takes stock of rising wildfires and stated that Extreme wildfires are here to stay and multiply. It also called for governmental remedies

UNEP: Extreme wildfires here to stay and multiply

Developing countries need up to 10 times more funding to protect themselves from increasingly ferocious effects of climate change than the world has currently earmarked, the UN said on Thursday.&nbsp;

While the COP26 meeting tries to wrestle down emissions and keep warming within the Paris deal target of 1.5 degrees Celsius, a new report from United Nations Environment Programme highlights the need to prepare countries for effects that are already starting to be felt. &nbsp;

"Even if we were to turn off the tap on greenhouse gas emissions today, the impacts of climate change would be with us for many decades to come," said Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP.&nbsp;

"We need a step-change in adaptation ambition for funding and implementation to significantly reduce damages and losses from climate change. And we need it now."

Slammed by storms, floods and droughts intensified by global warming, the world's poorest nations have put at the heart of the COP26 climate negotiations calls for richer countries to honour a pledge to provide $100 billion annually.&nbsp;

But only a part of that funding promise -- which is now not set to be met until next year at the earliest -- is set aside for adaptation measures that would help nations reduce the exposure of people and property to the growing threats of climate change. &nbsp;

- 'Skydiving without a parachute' - 
The UNEP report found that developing countries alone will need to spend up to $300 billion a year on such measures by 2030, and up to $500 billion annually by 2050.

"Overall, estimated adaptation costs in developing countries are five to 10 times greater than current public adaptation finance flows, and the gap is widening," UNEP said.

In 2019, wealthy countries provided $79.6 billion in climate assistance to developing countries -- but two-thirds of that was for efforts to reduce emissions, with adaptation given lower priority.

On Monday, Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley told COP26 delegates failure to provide nations with the funds to protect themselves and adapt to climate change was "measured in lives and livelihoods in our communities and that, my friends, is immoral and unjust".&nbsp;

With 1.1C of warming since the mid 19th Century, the world has seen a torrent of deadly weather disasters intensified by climate change in recent months, from asphalt-melting heat waves to flash floods and untameable wildfires.

UNEP said governments had so far missed an opportunity to use the Covid-19 pandemic to prioritise green recovery spending.&nbsp;

"By failing to invest in climate adaptation, it seems like we've gone sky diving and decided we don't need a parachute," said Brian O'Callaghan, of the Oxford University economic recovery project and one of the authors of the UNEP report.&nbsp;

Developing countries need up to 10 times more funding to protect themselves from increasingly ferocious effects of climate change than the world has currently earmarked, the UN said on Thursday.

Developing countries need up to 10 times more funding to protect themselves from increasingly ferocious effects of climate change than the world has currently earmarked, the UN said on Thursday. While the COP26 meeting tries to wrestle down emissions and keep warming within the Paris deal target of 1.5 degrees Celsius, a new report from United Nations Environment Programme highlights the need to prepare countries for effects that are already starting to be felt. "Even if we were to turn off the tap on greenhouse gas emissions today, the impacts of climate change would be with us for many decades to come," said Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP. "We need a step-change in adaptation ambition for funding and implementation to significantly reduce damages and losses from climate change. And we need it now." Slammed by storms, floods and droughts intensified by global warming, the world's poorest nations have put at the heart of the COP26 climate negotiations calls for richer countries to honour a pledge to provide $100 billion annually. But only a part of that funding promise -- which is now not set to be met until next year at the earliest -- is set aside for adaptation measures that would help nations reduce the exposure of people and property to the growing threats of climate change. - 'Skydiving without a parachute' - The UNEP report found that developing countries alone will need to spend up to $300 billion a year on such measures by 2030, and up to $500 billion annually by 2050. "Overall, estimated adaptation costs in developing countries are five to 10 times greater than current public adaptation finance flows, and the gap is widening," UNEP said. In 2019, wealthy countries provided $79.6 billion in climate assistance to developing countries -- but two-thirds of that was for efforts to reduce emissions, with adaptation given lower priority. On Monday, Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley told COP26 delegates failure to provide nations with the funds to protect themselves and adapt to climate change was "measured in lives and livelihoods in our communities and that, my friends, is immoral and unjust". With 1.1C of warming since the mid 19th Century, the world has seen a torrent of deadly weather disasters intensified by climate change in recent months, from asphalt-melting heat waves to flash floods and untameable wildfires. UNEP said governments had so far missed an opportunity to use the Covid-19 pandemic to prioritise green recovery spending. "By failing to invest in climate adaptation, it seems like we've gone sky diving and decided we don't need a parachute," said Brian O'Callaghan, of the Oxford University economic recovery project and one of the authors of the UNEP report.

Climate adaptation cash one tenth of amount needed: UN

Representatives from nearly 200 countries will meet in Glasgow, Scotland, from October&nbsp;31-November&nbsp;12 for climate talks to strengthen action to tackle global warming under the 2015 Paris Agreement.

Against the backdrop of extreme weather events around the world and a United Nations&nbsp;climate report that said global warming was close to spiralling out of control, the actions of governments at this conference will determine whether it is a success.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/countries-lobbying-to-reduce-climate-change-goals-ahead-of-cop26-reveal-leaked-documents-422610">Countries lobbying to reduce climate change goals ahead of COP26, reveal leaked documents</a>

Here are some of the issues which need to be resolved:

Emission Cut Pledges

Six years ago in Paris, countries agreed to cut greenhouse gas emissions to limit global warming to 2 degrees Celsius and ideally 1.5C (2.7 Fahrenheit). To do this, emissions need to be cut in half by 2030 and reach net-zero by around mid-century.

As the UN&nbsp;conference was postponed last year due to the pandemic, this year is the deadline for countries to make steeper emissions cut pledges (called nationally determined contributions or NDCs).

The annual "emissions gap"&nbsp;report by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), which measures the gap between anticipated emissions and those consistent with limiting the temperature rise this century as agreed in the Paris accord, said updated pledges only reduce forecast 2030 emissions by an additional 7.5 per cent, compared to the previous commitments.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/75-of-europeans-are-more-concerned-about-the-climate-crisis-than-their-governments-survey-424428">75% of Europeans are more concerned about the climate crisis than their governments: Survey</a>

If continued throughout this century, this would lead to warming of 2.7C, slightly less than the 3C UNEP forecast in its last report. A 30&nbsp;per cent cut is needed to limit warming to 2C and a 55 per cent cut is needed to limit to 1.5C.

It said current commitments to net zero could limit warming to around 2.2C by the end of the century, but 2030 pledges so far do not put major emitters on a clear path to this.

Major emitters China and India - together responsible for around a third of global greenhouse gas emissions - have not yet come forward with strengthened NDCs and need to do so at this conference, known as COP26.

Finance

As far back as 2009, developed countries agreed to raise $100 billion a year by 2020 to help developing countries deal with the impacts of climate change.

But a plan on how to do so, prepared by Canada and Germany ahead of the United Nations COP26 summit in Scotland, said the annual target would now not be met until 2023.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australian-indigenous-islanders-file-lawsuit-against-government-demand-climate-action-424150" hreflang="en">Australian indigenous islanders file lawsuit against government, demand climate action</a>

As rich nations are not meeting the $100 billion a year goal, it can break down trust at the climate talks, experts say. And a new finance goal needs to be worked out for 2025 onwards.

Loss And Damage

Governments agreed to address the impact of climate change on developing countries but there is no detail about liability or compensation, a bone of contention for many poorer countries.

Watch |&nbsp;UN sounds alarm on climate crisis ahead of high stakes COP26 summit

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/un-sounds-alarm-on-climate-crisis-ahead-of-high-stakes-cop26-summit-424362/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

A platform to enable technical assistance for vulnerable countries was established in 2019 but developing nations want a more robust mechanism to include financing.

Fossil Fuels

The UK COP26 president, Alok Sharma, has said he wants this conference to be the one where coal power is consigned to history.

The UN&nbsp;has called for phasing out coal by 2030 in OECD countries, but environment ministers from the Group of 20 big economies have failed to agree a timeline.

Article 6

Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, which covers the role of carbon markets, has not been resolved since the pact was struck. Progress on it broke down at the last talks in 2019.

The article calls for "robust accounting" to avoid "double counting" of emissions reductions. It also aims to establish a central UN&nbsp;mechanism to trade carbon credits from emissions reductions generated from low-carbon projects.

Representatives from nearly 200 countries will meet in Glasgow, Scotland, from October 31-November 12 for climate talks to strengthen action to tackle global warming under the 2015 Paris Agreement.

Representatives from nearly 200 countries will meet in Glasgow, Scotland, from October 31-November 12 for climate talks to strengthen action to tackle global warming under the 2015 Paris Agreement. Against the backdrop of extreme weather events around the world and a United Nations climate report that said global warming was close to spiralling out of control, the actions of governments at this conference will determine whether it is a success. Also Read | Countries lobbying to reduce climate change goals ahead of COP26, reveal leaked documents Here are some of the issues which need to be resolved: Emission Cut Pledges Six years ago in Paris, countries agreed to cut greenhouse gas emissions to limit global warming to 2 degrees Celsius and ideally 1.5C (2.7 Fahrenheit). To do this, emissions need to be cut in half by 2030 and reach net-zero by around mid-century. As the UN conference was postponed last year due to the pandemic, this year is the deadline for countries to make steeper emissions cut pledges (called nationally determined contributions or NDCs). The annual "emissions gap" report by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), which measures the gap between anticipated emissions and those consistent with limiting the temperature rise this century as agreed in the Paris accord, said updated pledges only reduce forecast 2030 emissions by an additional 7.5 per cent, compared to the previous commitments. Also read | 75% of Europeans are more concerned about the climate crisis than their governments: Survey If continued throughout this century, this would lead to warming of 2.7C, slightly less than the 3C UNEP forecast in its last report. A 30 per cent cut is needed to limit warming to 2C and a 55 per cent cut is needed to limit to 1.5C. It said current commitments to net zero could limit warming to around 2.2C by the end of the century, but 2030 pledges so far do not put major emitters on a clear path to this. Major emitters China and India - together responsible for around a third of global greenhouse gas emissions - have not yet come forward with strengthened NDCs and need to do so at this conference, known as COP26. Finance As far back as 2009, developed countries agreed to raise $100 billion a year by 2020 to help developing countries deal with the impacts of climate change. But a plan on how to do so, prepared by Canada and Germany ahead of the United Nations COP26 summit in Scotland, said the annual target would now not be met until 2023. Also read | Australian indigenous islanders file lawsuit against government, demand climate action As rich nations are not meeting the $100 billion a year goal, it can break down trust at the climate talks, experts say. And a new finance goal needs to be worked out for 2025 onwards. Loss And Damage Governments agreed to address the impact of climate change on developing countries but there is no detail about liability or compensation, a bone of contention for many poorer countries. Watch | UN sounds alarm on climate crisis ahead of high stakes COP26 summit A platform to enable technical assistance for vulnerable countries was established in 2019 but developing nations want a more robust mechanism to include financing. Fossil Fuels The UK COP26 president, Alok Sharma, has said he wants this conference to be the one where coal power is consigned to history. The UN has called for phasing out coal by 2030 in OECD countries, but environment ministers from the Group of 20 big economies have failed to agree a timeline. Article 6 Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, which covers the role of carbon markets, has not been resolved since the pact was struck. Progress on it broke down at the last talks in 2019. The article calls for "robust accounting" to avoid "double counting" of emissions reductions. It also aims to establish a central UN mechanism to trade carbon credits from emissions reductions generated from low-carbon projects.

Explainer | Sticking points at the UN climate conference

A report by the UN's Environment Program found that nations are planning to produce more than double the amount of coal, oil, and gas consistent with limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

Merely ten days ahead of a climate summit that is being hailed as the key to the viability of the Paris Agreement temperature goals, the UNEP says that government plans for fossil fuel production this decade were "dangerously out of sync" with the needed emissions cuts.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/majority-of-fossil-fuels-should-remain-in-ground-to-fight-climate-change-crisis-411955">Majority of fossil fuels should 'remain in ground' to fight climate change crisis</a>

According to the UN, in order to limit warming to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels, emissions must fall nearly 50 per cent by 2030 and to net-zero by mid-century.

However, the Production Gap report found that fossil fuel production would probably increase until at least 2040.

The report indicated that government plans are for about 240 per cent more coal, 57 per cent more oil and 71 per cent more natural gas production by 2030 than what the 1.5C target allows.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/climate-report-must-be-death-knell-for-fossil-fuels-un-chief-404307">Climate report must be 'death knell' for fossil fuels: UN chief</a>

This decade, development plans would produce 110 per cent more fossil fuels than consistent to limiting global warming to 1.5C and 45 per cent more than necessary to limit global warming to 2C.

"The research is clear: global coal, oil and gas production must start declining immediately and steeply to be consistent with limiting long-term warming to 1.5C," said Ploy Achakulwisut, a lead report author from the Stockholm Environment Institute.

"However, governments continue to plan for and support levels of fossil fuel production that are vastly in excess of what we can safely burn."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/upcoming-un-climate-report-presents-starkest-warning-yet-403984" hreflang="en">Upcoming UN climate report presents 'starkest warning yet'</a>

Under the 2015 Paris Agreement, countries committed to cutting emissions by sweeping amounts to limit warming to between 1.5C and 2C. Additionally, every five years, each signatory is required to submit plans called National Determined Contributions, or NDCs, to reduce its emissions.

Watch |&nbsp;Scientists call for 'Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty'

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/scientists-call-for-fossil-fuel-non-proliferation-treaty-413570/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The UN said in an assessment last month that, "if" countries' latest NDCs are fulfilled, Earth will still be facing a "catastrophic" 2.7C of warming by 2100.

1.1C of warming has already increased the frequency of droughts, flooding, and storms, which are exacerbated by rising sea levels.

(With inputs from agencies)

A report by the UN's Environment Program found that nations are planning to produce more than double the amount of coal, oil, and gas consistent with limiting global warming to 1.

A report by the UN's Environment Program found that nations are planning to produce more than double the amount of coal, oil, and gas consistent with limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Merely ten days ahead of a climate summit that is being hailed as the key to the viability of the Paris Agreement temperature goals, the UNEP says that government plans for fossil fuel production this decade were "dangerously out of sync" with the needed emissions cuts. Also read | Majority of fossil fuels should 'remain in ground' to fight climate change crisis According to the UN, in order to limit warming to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels, emissions must fall nearly 50 per cent by 2030 and to net-zero by mid-century. However, the Production Gap report found that fossil fuel production would probably increase until at least 2040. The report indicated that government plans are for about 240 per cent more coal, 57 per cent more oil and 71 per cent more natural gas production by 2030 than what the 1.5C target allows. Also read | Climate report must be 'death knell' for fossil fuels: UN chief This decade, development plans would produce 110 per cent more fossil fuels than consistent to limiting global warming to 1.5C and 45 per cent more than necessary to limit global warming to 2C. "The research is clear: global coal, oil and gas production must start declining immediately and steeply to be consistent with limiting long-term warming to 1.5C," said Ploy Achakulwisut, a lead report author from the Stockholm Environment Institute. "However, governments continue to plan for and support levels of fossil fuel production that are vastly in excess of what we can safely burn." Also read | Upcoming UN climate report presents 'starkest warning yet' Under the 2015 Paris Agreement, countries committed to cutting emissions by sweeping amounts to limit warming to between 1.5C and 2C. Additionally, every five years, each signatory is required to submit plans called National Determined Contributions, or NDCs, to reduce its emissions. Watch | Scientists call for 'Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty' The UN said in an assessment last month that, "if" countries' latest NDCs are fulfilled, Earth will still be facing a "catastrophic" 2.7C of warming by 2100. 1.1C of warming has already increased the frequency of droughts, flooding, and storms, which are exacerbated by rising sea levels. (With inputs from agencies)

Planned fossil fuel production 'dangerously out of sync' with needed emissions cuts: UN

Concentrations of greenhouse gases in the Earth’s atmosphere hit a record high this year, a United Nations report showed on Wednesday.

Greenhouse gases hit new record despite lockdowns

NGO delegates at the UN's COP25 conference expressed anger on Sunday (December 15) at the lack of progress by participating world governments to act on climate change.

"Our lives...future generations are in your hands and you are failing us," says NGO at COP25

unep

Unep, News on Unep, stories on Unep, articles on Unep, Unep stories at Wion, Unep news, Unep latest news