Emission Gap Report 2022

Context

 Recently, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) released ‘Emissions Gap Report 2022.

Key-Findings off the Report

• The world is falling short of the goals set forth in the Paris Climate Agreement adopted in 2015.
• No credible pathway is currently in place to restrict global warming to under 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.
• The top seven emitters (China, the EU27, India, Indonesia, Brazil, the Russian Federation and the United States of America) plus international transport accounted for 55 percent of global GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions in 2020. 
• In India and six other top emitters, emissions have rebounded in 2021, exceeding pre-pandemic 2019 levels.
• Collectively, G20 members are responsible for 75 percent of global GHG emissions.
• The global average per capita GHG emissions was 6.3 tonnes of CO2 equivalent (tCO2e) in 2020. 
• The report finds that the world must cut emissions by 45 percent to avoid global catastrophe.

What is the Emissions Gap Report?

• Emission Gap Reports assess the gap between countries’ pledges on emission reduction and the reduction required to bring down the global temperature increase below 2°C by the year 2100. 
• It analyzes the difference between where the GHG emissions are predicted to be in 2030 and where they should be to prevent catastrophic consequences of climate change. 
• The report is seen as a scientifically authoritative source for information on the implementation of the Paris Agreement. 
• It has been published by UNEP Copenhagen Climate Centre (UNEP CCC) since the year 2011. 
  • The 2022 edition (13th edition) of this report was released recently. 
• Title: ‘The Closing Window — Climate Crisis Calls For Rapid Transformation of Societies’
• This report was released a day after the UNFCCC warned in its annual assessment that the world is on track for around 2.5°C warming by the end of this century.

Government Initiatives to Reduce Emissions in India

• Bharat Stage-IV (BS-IV) to Bharat Stage-VI (BS-VI) emission norms
• UJALA scheme
• International Solar Alliance
• National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC)
• Ethanol Blending in India by 2025.
• India Updated its NDC.