Carbon emissions need to cut for safer world: UN Chief

New Delhi: UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Monday called upon countries to put the world on a safer path by dramatically slashing emissions.

In his message for the New Year, issued today, “In 2025, countries must put the world on a safer path by dramatically slashing emissions, and supporting the transition to a renewable future. It is essential and it is possible.”

Reflecting on 2024, he stated that “hope has been hard to find”, with wars causing enormous pain, suffering and displacement, and inequalities and divisions fuelling tensions and mistrust.

“And today I can officially report that we have just endured a decade of deadly heat” he said.
Mr. Guterres said that even in the darkest days he has “seen hope power change.”

In this regard, he saluted activists of all ages who are raising their voices for progress, as well as “humanitarian heroes overcoming enormous obstacles to support the most vulnerable people.”

The Secretary-General concluded by stating that there are no guarantees for what lies ahead in 2025.

He pledged to stand with all those working to forge a more peaceful, equal, stable and healthy future for all people.

“Together, we can make 2025 a new beginning,” he said. “Not as a world divided. But as nations united.”

Current Scenario on Carbon Emissions

Currently, the Earth is already about 1.2°C warmer than it was in the late 1800s, and emissions continue to rise.

To keep global warming to no more than 1.5°C as called for in the Paris Agreement emissions need to be reduced by 45% by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050.

According to the United Nations, the six largest greenhouse gas emitters (China, the United States of America, India, the European Union, the Russian Federation, Brazil) accounted for 63 per cent of global emissions in 2023.

By contrast, the 47 least developed countries accounted for only 3 per cent.

The G20, the group of the world’s largest 20 economies are responsible for about 77 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions.