Current Affairs

Emissions Gap Report Warns of Unavoidable Temperature Threshold Breach

Source:Indian Express ↗

কেন এটি গুরুত্বপূর্ণ

It addresses critical updates on global climate change metrics, international environmental reporting (UNEP Emissions Gap Report), and the evaluation of Paris Agreement commitments, which are central to GS3 Environment syllabus.

সারসংক্ষেপ

The UNEP Emissions Gap Report highlights that the breach of the 1.5°C global temperature threshold is now practically unavoidable, underscoring significant shortfalls in global climate pledges and emissions mitigation under the Paris Agreement.

মূল বিষয়

  • The Emissions Gap Report indicates that breaching the 1.5°C temperature threshold is now virtually unavoidable due to insufficient global climate action and rising emissions.
  • Current Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement are deeply inadequate to keep global warming within safe limits.
  • A massive acceleration in mitigation efforts and financial support is imperative to prevent catastrophic long-term tipping points, even if temporary overshoot of 1.5°C happens.

গুরুত্বপূর্ণ শব্দ

Paris Agreement

A landmark legally binding international treaty adopted at COP21 in 2015 to limit global warming to well below 2°C, preferably 1.5°C, compared to pre-industrial levels.

UPSC context

UPSC GS Paper III (Environment & Ecology): Tests knowledge of international environmental conventions, global climate governance, and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

Source
UN Environment Programme (UNEP)

A leading global environmental authority established in 1972 that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes sustainable development, and publishes authoritative assessments like the Emissions Gap Report.

UPSC context

UPSC GS Paper III (Environment & Ecology): Important for questions on international UN bodies, environmental monitoring reports, and global sustainability frameworks.

Source
IPCC

The United Nations body established in 1988 to assess climate change science, providing rigorous scientific reports that guide international negotiations and policy decisions.

UPSC context

UPSC GS Paper III (Environment & Ecology): Core institutional framework for climate science, global warming projections, and policy formulation.

Source

সংযুক্ত স্থির ধারণা

Environment and Ecology

What are the key flagship reports published by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)?

  • Emissions Gap: Emissions Gap Report: Evaluates the gap between projected emissions and Paris Agreement reduction targets annually.
  • GEO Assessment: Global Environment Outlook (GEO): Comprehensive assessment of the state of the global environment.
  • Frontiers Report: Frontiers Report: Identifies and draws attention to emerging environmental issues of concern.
  • Adaptation Gap: Adaptation Gap Report: Assesses national and global progress on climate adaptation planning and finance.

আন্তঃবিষয় প্যাটার্ন

  • Emissions Gap + UNFCCC COP Negotiations

    UNEP reports on emissions gaps and NDCs tie directly into UNFCCC COP negotiations, climate finance burden-sharing, and Article 6 carbon markets under international economic governance.

  • Climate Tipping Points + Indian Monsoon Vulnerability

    Exceeding 1.5°C triggers irreversible tipping points, directly impacting India's agricultural vulnerability, monsoon predictability, and coastal disaster management strategies.

Expect statements on UNEP flagship reports, NDCs under Paris Agreement, and Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) technologies in Prelims.

সংযুক্ত PYQ · 3

সংযুক্ত PYQ · 3

  • 2025MainsGS3

    Write a review on India's climate commitments under the Paris Agreement (2015) and mention how these have been further strengthened in COP26 (2021). In this direction, how has the first Nationally Determined Contribution intended by India been updated in 2022?

  • 2021MainsGS3

    Describe the major outcomes of the 26th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). What are the commitments made by India in this conference?

  • 2026PrelimsGS1

    Consider the following statements with reference to India's response to climate change : I. India's Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy (LT-LEDS) is a crucial tool for achieving net-zero emissions by 2070. II. India's 4th Biennial Update Report (BUR-4) submitted in December, 2024 recorded around 8% decrease in Greenhouse gas emissions in 2020 over 2019. III. Climate-resilient development necessarily depends on quick and short-term achievement of emission reduction targets. Which of the following relationships among the above statements is/are correct ? 1. Statement I is empirically supported by statement II. 2. Statement III contradicts the approach implicit in statement I. 3. Statement I and statement III together establish the premise of long-term sustainability. Select the answer using the code given below :