Most major emitters, including China and the European Union, failed to submit updated emissions reduction plans to the United Nations, raising concerns about the global effort to combat climate change.
Chico Harlan reports for The Washington Post.
In short:
- The deadline for updated "nationally determined contributions" under the Paris agreement passed with most countries, including China, India and the EU, failing to submit.
- Political shifts, economic crises and ongoing conflicts have diverted global attention from climate commitments.
- The UN says nations can still submit plans by September, though the world remains on track for a dangerous temperature rise of 2.6 to 3.1 degrees Celsius.
Key quote:
“Where’s the urgency? Some of the world’s largest economies and biggest emitters are missing in action. There is no time to waste. Lack of climate action is costing lives.”
— Tracy Carty, Greenpeace International
Why this matters:
The world is on track for increasingly severe climate disasters, with intensifying heatwaves, floods and extreme weather events expected in the years to come. Scientists have long warned that delays in cutting emissions will make it significantly harder to keep global warming in check, increasing risks for vulnerable communities already bearing the brunt of a changing climate.
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