UN: Climate measures are being implemented systematically but need to be accelerated

Climate action is being systematically implemented in the real world, but it needs to be "scaled up and accelerated," according to a report by UN Climate Change released this Friday.

The document – ​​the first synthesis report of the biennial transparency texts of the aforementioned organization – offers an initial overview, in anticipation of the upcoming COP30 climate summit in Brazil, of the various advances made by several countries based on the data reported up to 2022.

The text shows, according to a statement by UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell, that countries are implementing the Paris Agreement in all regions through "stronger policies, new institutions and whole-of-society approaches that are driving change in the real economy."

From renewable energy to electric vehicles, improvements in energy efficiency, reforestation and emissions trading systems, "the evidence is clear: the transition is underway, but it now needs to be accelerated and scaled up urgently," he emphasizes.

The report identifies "crucial enabling factors" and, in this sense, believes "it is necessary for more and better quality funds to reach where they are needed," in addition to considering "it essential to have solid data and transparent systems."

It also points out that "inclusive and just transitions are crucial to ensuring that many more people benefit from the enormous human and economic advantages of stronger climate action in a rapidly evolving world."

But it also points to "several barriers, such as capacity and data gaps, and the persistent lack of financial and technological support for developing countries."

The Parties implement the Paris Agreement

Stiell believes that the submission of more than 100 biennial transparency reports is a "clear sign" that the Parties are beginning to very actively implement the Paris Agreement, "with practical and real measures, in all economies and societies."

Given that the document "reflects the information and data communicated up to 2022, we can expect that substantial progress has been made on broad fronts," the executive secretary notes.

"Our new reports on national adaptation plans (NAPs) and nationally determined contributions (NDCs) from the past few weeks point to many relevant areas of progress, in particular the increasingly clear evidence of climate planning and policymaking across the economy and society, as well as better implementation," it says.

The findings suggest, according to Stiell, that future reports "will show more robust progress, with countries strengthening their transparency systems, expanding the volume and reliability of data, and receiving more targeted support for capacity building."

"COP30 must also send a clear signal globally: that nations maintain their unwavering commitment to climate cooperation under the Paris Agreement, with solid and concrete results on all key issues," he urges.

The change does not match the urgency of the moment

Furthermore, it must "connect climate action to real life everywhere, to help spread the enormous benefits of climate action to many more people."

In his statement, Stiell warns that, despite the progress, "the pace of change is still not keeping up with the urgency of the moment, as climate disasters hit all nations harder each year, with colossal human and economic costs."

Therefore, it calls for the text to be considered as "an indicator of progress and as a call for greater and faster action, at COP30 and in the years to come." EFEverde

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