This week, both Tuvalu and the UNEP called on Australia to strengthen its climate policies to avoid the worst case scenario.
The United Nations Environment Programme () says current climate policies aren’t enough to stop global temperatures increasing by as much as 3.1°C this century.
In a new report, UNEP said nations must strengthen their targets under the Paris Agreement, or risk “debilitating impacts to people, planet and economies.”
The report coincides with a meeting of Commonwealth leaders in Samoa this week, where Tuvalu’s Prime Minister called on Australia to do more to reduce carbon emissions.
Climate change
Most UN members signed the Paris Agreement in 2015, including Australia.It binds countries to limit their emissions so global temperatures don’t rise more than 1.5°C above levels recorded during 1850-1900.
Burning fossil fuels for everyday energy consumption, like coal, releases carbon dioxide (CO₂) into the atmosphere. Adding more CO₂ to the atmosphere causes hotter temperatures on Earth.
The agreement requires countries to commit to stricter emission reduction plans called “Nationally Determined Contributions” every five years.
UNEP
Each year, UNEP evaluates nations’ progress towards limiting global warming to 1.5°C.
This year’s report advised countries to “show a massive increase in ambition” in their next round of NDCs, due in 2025.
“If they do not, the Paris Agreement target of holding global warming to 1.5°C will be dead within a few years and 2°C will take its place in the intensive care unit,” UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen said.
If countries continue their current policies with no changes, UNEP estimates global temperatures could increase by up to 3.1°C by the end of this century.
If this happens, scientists have suggested the likelihood of widespread severe heatwaves, flooding, and drought all significantly increase.
Climate change has also been linked to “more frequent and severe” coral bleaching events, which can put food security at risk.
Targets
UNEP found countries now have to reduce their emissions by 57% from 2019 levels by 2035 to achieve the goal of limiting warming to 1.5°C.
Australia is developing a plan to transition to its legislated target of zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
The Government said it is “within striking range” of its current goal to reduce emissions by 43% from 2005 levels by 2030.
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However, based on current policies, UNEP does not project Australia will meet its Paris Agreement obligations.
Australia is a member of the G20, a group of 20 of the world’s largest economies. Members include coalitions like the European Union, meaning it actually includes more than 100 countries.
UNEP found G20 members accounted for 82% of the world’s carbon emissions last year.
The six biggest emitters from this group made up 63% of all global emissions, compared to 3% contributed by the 47 “least developed countries”.
In light of this, UNEP argued it’s “both cost-effective and fair for the G20 to reduce emissions faster than the global average”.
CHOGM
The UNEP report coincides with this week’s Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa.
Speaking at CHOGM, Tuvalu PM Feleti Teo criticised Australia’s climate policy.
Teo has released a new independent report showing Australia, Canada, and the UK produce 60% of the Commonwealth’s emissions, despite making up 6% of its population.
Tuvalu’s islands areof becoming uninhabitable by 2100, according to a NASA study on rising sea levels caused by climate change.
Tuvalu
Last year, the Government signed a treaty with Tuvalu, which included “a commitment to count on each other as we navigate our shared challenges, particularly climate change”.
It also included a commitment to allow the residents of Tuvalu to move to Australia as climate change impacts in the Pacific island worsen.
Teo said Australia’s activities and actions, including coal mining, were “not consistent” with its commitments under this treaty.
Response
Speaking at CHOGM, Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong blamed the previous Coalition Government for Australia’s reliance on fossil fuels and related carbon emissions.
Wong said increasing renewable energy “will take longer than I would have liked because, you know, obviously nothing was done for 10 years.”
Last month, Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek approved the extension of three coal mines in NSW. Plibersek said the extensions were approved “in accordance with the facts and the national environmental law.”
