The United Nations warned Tuesday that current national commitments to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions are insufficient to meet a 2030 reduction goal, and that unprecedented and urgent action is required by all nations — especially from members of the Group of 20 — to ensure global warming stays well below 2.0 to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
In its annual update on the global emissions gap, the United Nations Environment Program said only three G20 nations including Japan were on track to meet their nationally determined contribution targets under their current policies to reduce carbon emissions by 2020.
Japan, which accounted for 3 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions last year, has committed to reducing its emissions by 3.8 percent below 2005 levels by 2020, and 26 percent below 2013 levels by 2030. But the nation is only currently predicted to achieve a 7.5 percent decrease in emissions by 2030, the report added.