Home

Countries not on track for Paris Agreement

Rebecca GredleyAAP
The UN says the world is falling short of its emissions reduction goals and more action is needed.
Camera IconThe UN says the world is falling short of its emissions reduction goals and more action is needed.

The world is falling short of its emissions reduction goals and stronger climate action is urgently needed, the United Nations' climate arm has warned.

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change has reviewed emissions reduction plans from 75 members.

Combined, they are on a path to reduce emissions by one per cent on 2010 levels by 2030.

UN executive secretary of climate change Patricia Espinosa is calling on all nations to set higher targets.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

"This report shows that current levels of climate ambition are very far from putting us on a pathway that will meet our Paris Agreement goals," she said.

"At the moment it is like we are walking into a minefield blindfolded.

"What we need is much more radical and transformative than we have now. We need concrete plans to phase out fossil fuels as fast as possible."

UN secretary general Antonio Guterres says it's vital to act this year.

"The global coalition committed to net zero emissions by 2050 is growing, across governments, businesses, investors, cities, regions and civil society," he said.

"COVID-19 recovery plans offer the opportunity to build back greener and cleaner."

The federal government is eyeing a gas-fired coronavirus recovery plan.

It comes as the US is expected to push Australia to increase its climate ambition.

Unlike all states and territories, the federal government has not committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2050.

President Joe Biden has announced an ambitious climate policy for the US, including rejoining the Paris Agreement and net zero emissions by 2050.

The US is hosting a climate summit on April 22, and is expected to announce its 2030 emissions reduction targets before then.

It is currently aiming to reduce emissions by 26 to 28 per cent on 2005 levels by 2025.

Mr Biden's special envoy for climate John Kerry will target a handful of countries to take stronger action, with Australia understood to be in his sights.

Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.

Sign up for our emails