COP30 Experts Warn World Off Track for 1.5°C Climate Goal Amid Rising Emissions

Climate experts meeting at the COP30 summit in Brazil have raised serious concerns over the world’s progress toward limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Findings from the Climate Action Tracker presented at the summit indicate that current policies are insufficient, with global temperature rises projected to reach 2.6 degrees Celsius if nations fail to act.

Panelists highlighted the lasting impact of the United States’ withdrawal from the 2015 Paris Agreement, noting it slowed international momentum to cut greenhouse gas emissions. “As our current policy update shows, the temperature outcomes have been pretty flat for four years,” said Bill Hare of Climate Analytics. “This reflects a lack of action by countries pushing us towards 2.6 degrees of warming, which will literally cook the planet.”

Data from the European climate service Copernicus shows that the planet’s annual temperature has increased by roughly 0.46 degrees Celsius since 2015, marking one of the largest ten-year rises on record. This year is expected to be either the second or third hottest globally.

Niklas Höhne of the NewClimate Institute said that while some positive trends exist, recent greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise. “Last year’s emissions were higher than the year before, and estimates indicate this year will be even higher,” he said.

Despite the warnings, experts noted progress in renewable energy. The expansion of wind, solar, and other green sources is helping offset emissions, with renewables now cheaper than coal, oil, and natural gas in many regions. United Nations reports show that last year, 74 percent of new electricity generation came from renewable sources. Meanwhile, global electric vehicle sales surged from 500,000 in 2015 to 17 million last year.

Delegates at COP30 continue to call for accelerated international action to meet climate targets and mitigate the risks of extreme warming, emphasizing that while renewable energy growth offers hope, immediate policy measures are crucial to prevent catastrophic outcomes.