New Delhi, Oct 20 (Representative) The latest report by UN Environment Programme outlines a serious threat to the climate by the countries which are not just avoidable but also pose an increased threat of global warming, it was reported here on Wednesday. The report finds that despite increased climate ambitions and bet-zero commitments, 15 sovereign governments still plan to produce more than double the amount of fossil fuels in 2030 than what would be consistent with limiting global warming to 1.5°C. The 2021 Production Gap Report provides country profiles for 15 countries which plan to double the oil production by 20303 which includes, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Norway, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
According to the UN report, these countries plan to produce around 110 per cent more fossil fuels in 2030 than would be consistent with limiting warming to 1.5°C, and 45 per cent more than which is consistent with 2°C. The production plans would contribute about 240 per cent more coal, 57 per cent more oil, and 71 per cent more gas in 2030 than would be consistent with limiting global warming to 1.5°C, as per the projections offered in the report. “Global gas production is projected to increase the most between 2020 and 2040 based on governments plans. This continued, long-term global expansion in gas production is inconsistent with the temperature limits agreed at the Paris Agreements. “Countries have directed over USD 300 billion in new funds towards fossil fuel activities since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, more than they have towards clean energy,” the report stated. The Production Gap Report, first launched in 2019, measures the gap between governments planned production of coal, oil, and gas and the global production levels consistent with meeting the Paris Agreement temperature limits.
Two years later, the 2021 report finds the production gap has largely remained unchanged. The country profiles show that most of these governments continue to provide significant policy support for fossil fuel production. “The devastating impacts of climate change are here for all to see. There is still time to limit long-term warming by 1.5°C, but this window of opportunity is rapidly closing,” said Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP. At COP26 and beyond, the world’s governments must step up, taking rapid and immediate steps to close the fossil fuel production gap and ensure a just and equitable transition. This is what climate ambition looks like.” Ploy Achakulwisut, lead author of the report said the countries continue to produce fossil fuels in excess of the levels they can be used safely. “The research is clear: global coal, oil, and gas production must start declining immediately and steeply to be consistent with limiting long-term warming by 1.5°C. However, governments continue to plan for and support levels of fossil fuel production that are vastly more than what we can safely burn,” he added. Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said full decarbonization of the power sector and access to renewable energy for all should be done urgently to address climate change. “Recent announcements by the worlds largest economies to end international financing of coal are a much-needed step in phasing out fossil fuels. But, as this report starkly shows, there is still a long way to go to a clean energy future. It is urgent that all remaining public financiers as well as private finance, including commercial banks and asset managers, switch their funding from coal to renewables to promote full decarbonization of the power sector and access to renewable energy for all,” he added.