UN report expected to show only one third of Paris goals have begun to be implemented

Today, the UNEP will release data that is expected to show that only a third of commitments made in the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement have begun to be implemented.

UNEP’s concerns follow warnings from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change that the world may exceed temperature increases above three degrees by the end of the century and a report released earlier this week by the US government that outlined the environmental impacts for the US as a result of its inaction. Rising emissions from a return to growth are also impacting the EU’s ability to contain emissions, especially from major economies such as Germany, which remain dependent on coal despite a rapid shift to renewables. As the US and the developed world fall behind, attention is expected to focus on regional and local efforts by major cities, as well as China and India, despite their growing use of fossil fuels.

However, with the agreement officially entering into force by 2020, nations remain committed to translating its statements and principles into an internationally binding ‘rulebook.’ The trajectory of emissions is unlikely to reduce in the near-term, with global growth expected to contribute to increased emissions. However, do not expect this to undermine major shifts in the energy and regulatory landscape as the world continues a dramatic shift towards renewables.