World’s climate pledges would cut emissions a tenth of what’s needed, UN reports

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🗞️ Driving the news: Countries’ latest climate pledges would reduce global greenhouse gas emissions by just 6% by 2035, according to a new UN Climate Change report released on October 27
• If countries meet conditional targets, the reduction would reach only 9% — far below the 60% cut from 2019 levels scientists estimate is needed to keep the 1.5°C warming limit within reach

🔭 The context: The report synthesises climate commitments from 154 countries, covering 71% of global emissions, submitted between January 2024 and August 2026
• The findings come weeks before COP31 in Turkey and follow a UN Environment Programme assessment that current commitments put the world on track for around 2.6°C of warming this century
• The US withdrawal from the Paris Agreement has further complicated global progress

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Insufficient emissions reductions increase the risk of more severe extreme weather and potentially irreversible damage, including coral reef loss and permafrost thaw
• Although global climate finance is growing, current investment and national commitments remain inadequate to meet the world’s climate goals

⏭️ What’s next: COP31 will test whether governments can turn existing commitments into stronger action and close the gap between current pledges and the emissions cuts required
• The UN says practical implementation will be crucial, while greater climate finance will be needed to accelerate the transition to low-emission technologies

💬 One quote: “With its focus on practical measures to support greater implementation”, the COP31 meeting in Turkey “can help address some of the key gaps” — Simon Stiell, UN climate chief.

📈 One stat: 6% — the projected reduction in global greenhouse gas emissions by 2035 under countries’ latest climate pledges, compared with the approximately 60% reduction scientists estimate is needed from 2019 levels to limit warming to 1.5°C.

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