In her commentary in the UNEP 2024 report, Andersen emphasized that the global community today has sufficient means to prevent catastrophic global warming, AzVision.az reports. 

However, she stressed that political will is needed to end the world's dependence on fossil fuels.

"Nations must accelerate action now, show a massive increase in ambition in the new pledges and then deliver urgently with policies and implementation. If they do not, the Paris Agreement target of holding global warming to 1.5°C will be dead within a few years and 2°C will take its place in the intensive care unit," she said.

She said that to get on a least-cost pathway for 1.5°C, emissions must fall 42 per cent by 2030, compared with 2019 levels.

"However, this report shows that it remains at least technically possible to get on a 1.5°C pathway. Increased deployment of solar photovoltaic technologies and wind energy could deliver 27 per cent of the total emission reduction potential in 2030 and 38 per cent in 2035. Action on forests could deliver around 20 per cent of the potential in both years. Other strong options include efficiency measures, electrification and fuel switching in the buildings, transport and industry sectors," Anderson said.

Andersen noted that the 1.5°C target is still achievable, and to reach it, it is primarily necessary to expand the use of alternative energy sources, ensure forest protection, and accelerate energy transition in construction, transportation, and industrial sectors.

"To deliver, we would need a whole-of-government approach, measures that maximize socioeconomic and environmental co-benefits while reducing trade-offs, and a minimum sixfold increase in mitigation investment – backed by reform of the global financial architecture and strong private-sector action. G20 members, particularly the largest emitters, would need to do the heavy lifting, as they dominate the world economy," she said.

Andersen added that global mobilization on a scale and pace never seen before will be needed.

"So, I urge every nation: no more hot air, please. Use COP 29 in Baku, Azerbaijan to increase action now, set the stage for dramatically stronger NDCs, and then go all out to get on the 1.5°C pathway by 2030. The sooner we strike out hard for a low-carbon, sustainable and prosperous future, the sooner we will get there – which will save lives, save money and protect the planetary systems upon which we all depend," she noted.

AzVision.az

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