UNEP
A multi-agency report, coordinated by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), highlights that at the halfway point of the 2030 Agenda, the planet is far from meeting its climate goals. This failure has negative consequences for addressing hunger, poverty, health, clean water, and other aspects of sustainable development. According to the “United in Science” report, only 15% of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are on track. The report emphasizes the role of weather, climate, and water-related sciences in advancing various SDGs, such as food and water security, clean energy, health, and resilient cities.
The report, compiled with input from 18 organizations, is issued ahead of the SDG Summit and Climate Ambition Summit at the United Nations General Assembly. UN Secretary-General António Guterres points out that climate change is already causing record temperatures and extreme weather, but the global response is inadequate. He emphasizes the critical role of science in finding solutions and how these sciences can accelerate progress towards the SDGs.
The report shows how weather predictions can enhance food production and reduce hunger, while combining epidemiology and climate information can help address climate-sensitive diseases. Early warning systems can reduce poverty by allowing people to prepare for and mitigate the impact of disasters.
The urgent need for scientific solutions is underscored by the alarming statistics of disasters caused by weather, climate, and water extremes, resulting in millions of deaths and trillions of dollars in economic losses, with developing economies being disproportionately affected.
The report also highlights the increasing likelihood of global temperatures exceeding 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels in the next five years, emphasizing the urgency of emissions reduction. However, progress in reducing emissions is limited, and fossil fuel emissions have continued to rise.
To meet the Paris Agreement goals, global greenhouse gas emissions must be significantly reduced by 2030, with carbon dioxide emissions nearing net-zero by 2050. The report emphasizes that even small reductions in emissions and temperature can have a significant impact on achieving the SDGs.
In conclusion, the report stresses the need for immediate, large-scale, and systemic transformations to combat climate change and achieve sustainable development, emphasizing that the world must increase ambition and action to secure a sustainable future for people and the planet. For more details Read
Source: UNEP
