While the objectives to limit the global warming are far from being fulfilled, the use of coal reached record global levels.
This is stated in the latest annual report on the State of Climate Action carried out by the National Climate Action Observatory (ONAC).
The fact is that, of the 45 climate indicators evaluated, none comes close to the objective of limiting the global warming a 1,5°C for 2030.
Although the coal energy decreased percentage as a generator of electricity in the last five years, “it is in a historical maximum due to the increase in total demand for electricity«says the document.
In contrast, the share of solar and wind energy it doubled between 2019 and 2024.
This is one of the few positive data in the report: these two renewables together already represent the 15% of world energy generation.
The problem of deforestation
The deforestation “It has also deviated in a worrying way,” according to the authors.
This threat went from 7,8 millions of hectares per year in 2021 to 8,1 in 2024.
«Between 2015 and 2024 the world permanently lost a total of 86 Mha of tree coveran area approximately the size of Pakistan,” the report highlights.
To comply with the 2030 goalsit would be necessary to remove some 360 central electrical coal of medium size each year.
Furthermore, efforts should be multiplied by nine to stop the forest lossexperts calculate.
“While the advances we need are still possible, achieving them will require efforts and investments much larger and better coordinated around both proven and emerging solutions,” the report indicates.
The document was prepared by the High Level Climate Champions of the HIMClimate Analytics and the Bezos Earth Fund, among other organizations.
All sectors of the economy must implement “bold systemic transformations” to achieve the global temperature target. Paris Agreement.
Indicators with insufficient progress: more coal, little public financing and more
Regarding the indicators analyzed, six indicators show changes “at a promising, although insufficient, speed”:
- electric vehicles (sales and percentage),
- reforestation
- emissions soil fertilization
- ruminant meat productivity
- private financing for the climate.
To highlight, the share of electric vehicles Sales of light vehicles have quintupled since 2020, reaching 22%.
However, another 29 indicators are “well below the necessary pace”, while five more are “going in the totally wrong direction”:
- intensity of coal in steel production
- loss in food production
- public financing fossil fuel
- kilometers traveled by passenger vehicles
- loss of mangroves.
Of the remaining five indicators, there is not even enough data for evaluation.
Finally, the report celebrates that the private financing for the climate has increased and that the solar energy be the fastest growing in history.
Furthermore, innovations such as green hydrogen They experience significant advances, the document highlights.
“However, for every promising development, there are worrying signs of stagnation or retreat«summarizes the report.
Among the recommendations of the study to achieve these goals, the researchers highlight:
- boost research and development
- eliminate the financing that perpetuates dependence on fossil fuels and finances deforestation
- put justice and equity at the center of climate action “so that no one is left behind in the transition”
