“Window of opportunity” to limit warming to 1.5ºC is reduced, according to the UN

”window of opportunity“to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees is being cut, though”still exists”, the United Nations chief in charge of climate told AFP on Monday, following a report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

The document “It lays out, in very, very clear terms, where we are, but also points out that there is always a chance, with a significant global effort, of reaching the 1.5 degree target.said Simon Stiell, UN Executive Secretary for Climate Change.

“The window of opportunity is narrowing, but it still exists”, he added, speaking on the sidelines of a preparatory meeting for the 28th UN climate conference (COP28).

The IPCC released its sixth synthesis report since the group’s inception on Monday, a comprehensive summary of all the knowledge on global warming.

Despite increasingly alarming forecasts, the report purports to be a “message of hope” Pointing out that more forceful actions would make it possible to achieve the objectives of containing the increase in the planet’s temperature to 1.5ºC compared to the pre-industrial era.

According to the IPCC, warming will reach that barrier in the years 2030-2035; currently it has already increased about 1.2 degrees on average.

This projection is valid in almost all the short-term greenhouse gas emissions scenarios of humanity established by the group of scientists.

Stiell called “everyone” to act, but he especially addressed the G20, a group that brings together the most advanced economies on the planet.

“We know that 80% of the emissions occurred within [de los países] of the G20. It is a very very clear starting point”, said the head of the UN.

These countries also represent 85% of world GDP, which is why they have “the technology and financial capacity to respond to the crisis”, he insisted.

Source: AFP