UN Report: Global Warming Will Increase Even in Best-Case Scenario

A newly published United Nations report revealed that global warming projections will exceed previous estimates. It was stated that even in the most optimistic scenario, average temperatures will rise 1.7 to 1.8 degrees above pre-industrial levels by the middle of the century.

According to the report prepared by the United Nations Environment Programme, despite rapid growth in renewable energy and emission-reducing climate policies, urgent and drastic cuts are required to achieve the best outcome. It was stated that greenhouse gas emissions must drop by 18 percent by 2030 from 2025 levels, 45 percent by 2035, and 69 percent by 2040. It was projected that current national plans will reduce emissions by only 5-8 percent by 2030 and 11-15 percent by 2035.

If current policies are maintained, global warming is estimated to reach 2.8 degrees by the end of the century, and 2.6 degrees if countries fully implement their current climate commitments. It was noted that these estimates reflect the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement and revised assessments of historical emissions. In the process leading up to the COP31 climate talks to be held in Turkey, UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized that commitments must not be abandoned.