#ParisAgreementcommitments

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Global Summit: Methane Reduction Sparks Change

  A Pivotal Call to Action

In a groundbreaking move, the United States, the People’s Republic of China, and the United Arab Emirates joined forces in a Summit aimed at accelerating global efforts to combat climate change. Furthermore, the focus on methane and non-CO2 greenhouse gases is recognized as the swiftest means to curb near-term warming and achieve the crucial goal of limiting the global average temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius.   Ambitious Commitments and Unprecedented Funding At the heart of the Summit, the United Arab Emirates issued a resounding call to all Paris Agreement signatories. Urging them to submit comprehensive 2035 nationally determined contributions encompassing all greenhouse gases, this bold move aligns with the G20 Leaders Statement and resonates with commitments made by the U.S. and PRC in the Sunnylands Statement Governments, philanthropies, and the private sector united to announce an extraordinary $1 billion in new grant funding for methane reduction. This groundbreaking initiative, mobilized since COP27 triples the current annual grant funding and is set to leverage billions in project investment. Additionally, governments reaffirmed their commitment to the largest-ever replenishment of the Montreal Multilateral Fund, injecting $965 million to support the Kigali Amendment implementation and energy efficiency.  

The Urgency of Non-CO2 Greenhouse Gases

Methane and other non-CO2 greenhouse gases, often overshadowed, are responsible for over 50% of current warming. Despite this, they receive less than half of the global climate attention. These potent gases, including methane, hydrofluorocarbons, nitrous oxide, and tropospheric ozone, are significantly more impactful than carbon dioxide.   Immediate Action Required To maintain the 1.5-degree goal and mitigate near-term risks, urgent action on non-CO2 greenhouse gases is imperative. They play a pivotal role in the energy transition and the fight against deforestation. While CO2 shapes our long-term climate, non-CO2 gases exert a disproportionate impact on short-term temperatures. Accelerated cuts to methane and non-CO2 gases could prevent up to 0.5 degrees of warming by 2050, offering a triple solution—advancing global climate, health, and food security objectives simultaneously.  

Major Announcements to Combat Greenhouse Gases

The Summit unveiled major announcements targeting methane, hydrofluorocarbons, and cooling. Methane, the Swift Solution: Responsible for 30% of current warming, reducing methane emissions by at least 30% by 2030, in line with the Global Methane Pledge, could cool global temperatures by over 0.2 degrees Celsius by 2050. The U.S. finalized standards for a nearly 80% reduction in methane emissions from the oil and gas sector, a move expected to prevent 1.5 gigatons of CO2 emissions over the next 15 years. Kazakhstan Joins the Pledge: Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Angola, Kenya, and Romania joined the Global Methane Pledge, signaling a global commitment to tackle methane emissions. Kazakhstan further announced a collaboration with the United States to develop national standards, accelerating methane mitigation. Brazil's Commitment: Brazil announced plans for guidelines on methane reduction in the oil and gas sector by the end of 2024, with regulations to be finalized by 2025. Nigeria, a Global Methane Pledge Champion, showcased projects estimated to capture over half of all gas flaring volumes.  

Addressing Hydrofluorocarbons and Cooling

The HFC Challenge: Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), used in cooling, cause hundreds to thousands of times more warming than CO2. Action to reduce HFCs and enhance cooling efficiency could mitigate 0.1 degrees of warming by 2050 and avoid up to 0.5 degrees Celsius of global temperature rise by 2100. UAE's Pledge on HFCs: The United Arab Emirates announced its intention to ratify the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, addressing HFCs. Global Cooling Pledge: Governments welcomed the imminent launch of the Global Cooling Pledge, a landmark COP28 initiative. This initiative aims to reduce global cooling-related emissions across all sectors and substantially increase access to sustainable cooling by 2030.   Conclusion The Summit on Methane and Non-CO2 Greenhouse Gases marked a historic stride toward a sustainable future. Moreover, with ambitious commitments, unprecedented funding, and collaborative global efforts, nations have set the stage for a decisive battle against climate change. The urgent call for action resonates, reminding us emphatically that the time to act is now.   Sources: THX News & US Department of State. Read the full article

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UN: Global Urgency as Climate Collapse Sparks Action

  A Grim Reality Unfolds: Climate Collapse in Real Time

In a stark revelation, the UN World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has issued a provisional report indicating that 2023 is poised to break records as the warmest year ever recorded. Global temperatures have surged 1.4 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, setting off alarm bells for the planet's future. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized the urgency of the situation, asserting that the world is in a race against time to maintain the 1.5-degree limit established by global leaders in the 2015 Paris Agreement. Guterres, in a video statement released during the opening of this year's annual UN climate talks, solemnly declared, "We are living through climate collapse in real-time – and the impact is devastating."  

Witnessing the Unraveling: Melting Glaciers and Rising Seas

Mr. Guterres recently visited climate hotspots in Antarctica and Nepal, where he personally observed record-low sea ice and the startling recession of glaciers. The WMO's report disclosed a staggering one million square kilometers less Antarctic sea ice than the previous record low, signaling a concerning trend. Glaciers in western North America and the European Alps faced an "extreme melt season," contributing to rising sea levels. The report underscores the continued warming of oceans and the ongoing meltdown of glaciers and ice sheets, leading to unprecedented sea level rise.  

Climbing Greenhouse Gas Levels: A Ticking Time Bomb

Simultaneously, concentrations of heat-trapping greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide reached record highs in 2022 and continued to escalate in 2023. Carbon dioxide levels, in particular, stand at a daunting 50% above pre-industrial levels, with the WMO emphasizing the long-lasting impact, predicting a sustained rise in temperatures for years to come. WMO Chief Petteri Taalas urged immediate action, stating, "These are more than just statistics," and emphasized the need to limit the risks of an increasingly inhospitable climate in the coming centuries.  

Dire Consequences on Lives and Livelihoods

The WMO's report paints a harrowing picture of the real-world consequences of climate upheaval. From deadly Cyclone Daniel in Libya to devastating floods in the Horn of Africa and severe smoke pollution from Canada's forest fires, the impacts on lives, health, and livelihoods are evident. Throughout the year, communities worldwide faced food insecurity and displacement due to extreme weather events. UN Secretary-General Guterres stressed the gravity of the situation, stating, "Record global heat should send shivers down the spines of world leaders," urging them to take immediate action.  

Roadmap for Change: A Call for Urgent Action

Guterres reiterated his call on countries to triple renewable energy, double energy efficiency, and phase out fossil fuels. Encouragingly, the WMO reported a 10% growth in global renewable energy capacity in the previous year, led by solar and wind power. The UN chief pointed to the existing roadmap to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius, urging governments to set clear expectations for the next round of climate action plans and invest in their implementation.    

COP28: A Critical Juncture for Global Climate Action

The 28th Conference of Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28), held from November 30 to December 12 in Dubai, marks a critical juncture in the fight against climate change. Over 60,000 delegates, including UNFCCC member states, industry leaders, youth activists, and indigenous community representatives, are expected to attend.   Global Stocktake: A Temperature Check on Commitments The COP28 conference will feature the first-ever "global stocktake" to assess collective progress in cutting emissions and enhancing adaptation efforts. This stocktake will serve as a 'temperature check' on the world's commitment to the Paris Agreement, with hopes of catalyzing more ambitious and accelerated climate action.   Protecting People: Urgent Measures Needed Guterres emphasized the need for countries to go further and faster in protecting people from climate chaos. This includes ensuring universal early warnings against extreme weather by 2027 and establishing a "loss and damage fund" to assist vulnerable communities hit hard by climate disasters. Developed countries are urged to fulfill their promise of delivering $100 billion per year in climate finance, doubling the funding for adaptation efforts. The success of COP28 hinges on countries' willingness to use the global stocktake results as a springboard toward more ambitious climate action. As the world grapples with the looming climate crisis, the outcomes of COP28 will undoubtedly shape the trajectory of our planet's future.   Sources: THX News & United Nations. Read the full article

[thxnews]

UN: Global Urgency as Climate Collapse Sparks Action

  A Grim Reality Unfolds: Climate Collapse in Real Time

In a stark revelation, the UN World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has issued a provisional report indicating that 2023 is poised to break records as the warmest year ever recorded. Global temperatures have surged 1.4 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, setting off alarm bells for the planet's future. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized the urgency of the situation, asserting that the world is in a race against time to maintain the 1.5-degree limit established by global leaders in the 2015 Paris Agreement. Guterres, in a video statement released during the opening of this year's annual UN climate talks, solemnly declared, "We are living through climate collapse in real-time – and the impact is devastating."  

Witnessing the Unraveling: Melting Glaciers and Rising Seas

Mr. Guterres recently visited climate hotspots in Antarctica and Nepal, where he personally observed record-low sea ice and the startling recession of glaciers. The WMO's report disclosed a staggering one million square kilometers less Antarctic sea ice than the previous record low, signaling a concerning trend. Glaciers in western North America and the European Alps faced an "extreme melt season," contributing to rising sea levels. The report underscores the continued warming of oceans and the ongoing meltdown of glaciers and ice sheets, leading to unprecedented sea level rise.  

Climbing Greenhouse Gas Levels: A Ticking Time Bomb

Simultaneously, concentrations of heat-trapping greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide reached record highs in 2022 and continued to escalate in 2023. Carbon dioxide levels, in particular, stand at a daunting 50% above pre-industrial levels, with the WMO emphasizing the long-lasting impact, predicting a sustained rise in temperatures for years to come. WMO Chief Petteri Taalas urged immediate action, stating, "These are more than just statistics," and emphasized the need to limit the risks of an increasingly inhospitable climate in the coming centuries.  

Dire Consequences on Lives and Livelihoods

The WMO's report paints a harrowing picture of the real-world consequences of climate upheaval. From deadly Cyclone Daniel in Libya to devastating floods in the Horn of Africa and severe smoke pollution from Canada's forest fires, the impacts on lives, health, and livelihoods are evident. Throughout the year, communities worldwide faced food insecurity and displacement due to extreme weather events. UN Secretary-General Guterres stressed the gravity of the situation, stating, "Record global heat should send shivers down the spines of world leaders," urging them to take immediate action.  

Roadmap for Change: A Call for Urgent Action

Guterres reiterated his call on countries to triple renewable energy, double energy efficiency, and phase out fossil fuels. Encouragingly, the WMO reported a 10% growth in global renewable energy capacity in the previous year, led by solar and wind power. The UN chief pointed to the existing roadmap to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius, urging governments to set clear expectations for the next round of climate action plans and invest in their implementation.    

COP28: A Critical Juncture for Global Climate Action

The 28th Conference of Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28), held from November 30 to December 12 in Dubai, marks a critical juncture in the fight against climate change. Over 60,000 delegates, including UNFCCC member states, industry leaders, youth activists, and indigenous community representatives, are expected to attend.   Global Stocktake: A Temperature Check on Commitments The COP28 conference will feature the first-ever "global stocktake" to assess collective progress in cutting emissions and enhancing adaptation efforts. This stocktake will serve as a 'temperature check' on the world's commitment to the Paris Agreement, with hopes of catalyzing more ambitious and accelerated climate action.   Protecting People: Urgent Measures Needed Guterres emphasized the need for countries to go further and faster in protecting people from climate chaos. This includes ensuring universal early warnings against extreme weather by 2027 and establishing a "loss and damage fund" to assist vulnerable communities hit hard by climate disasters. Developed countries are urged to fulfill their promise of delivering $100 billion per year in climate finance, doubling the funding for adaptation efforts. The success of COP28 hinges on countries' willingness to use the global stocktake results as a springboard toward more ambitious climate action. As the world grapples with the looming climate crisis, the outcomes of COP28 will undoubtedly shape the trajectory of our planet's future.   Sources: THX News & United Nations. Read the full article