Another recent good read, UN synthesis report
https://wedocs.unep.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.11822/30023/climsci.pdf
Key points:Global Climate in 2015 - 2019
• Average global temperature for 2015-2019 is on track to be the warmest of any equivalent period on record. It is
currently estimated to be 1.1°C above pre-industrial (1850-1900) times and 0.2°C warmer than 2011-2015
• Observations show that global mean sea level rise is accelerating and an overall
increase of 26% in ocean acidity since the beginning of the industrial era
Global Fossil CO2 Emissions
• CO2 emissions from fossil fuel use continue to grow by over
1% annually and 2% in 2018 reaching a new high
• Growth of coal emissions resumed in 2017
• Despite extraordinary growth in renewable energy,
fossil fuels still dominate the global energy system
Greenhouse Gas Concentrations
• Increases in CO2 concentrations continue to
accelerate
• Current levels of CO2, CH4 and N2O represent
146%, 257% and 122% respectively of pre-
industrial levels (pre-1750)
Emissions Gap
• Global emissions are not estimated to peak by 2030,
let alone by 2020
• Implementing current unconditional NDCs would lead to a
global mean temperature rise between 2.9°C and 3.4°C by
2100 relative to pre-industrial levels, and continuing thereafter
• The current level of NDC ambition needs to be roughly tripled for
emission reduction to be in line with the 2°C goal and increased fivefold
for the 1.5°C goal. Technically it is still possible to bridge the gap
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change 2018 & 2019 Special Reports
• Limiting temperature to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels would go hand-in-hand with reaching other world goals
such as achieving sustainable development and eradicating poverty
• Climate change puts additional pressure on land and its ability to support and supply food, water, health and
wellbeing. At the same time, agriculture, food production, and deforestation are major drivers of climate change
Climate Insights
• Growing climate impacts increase the risk of crossing critical tipping points
• There is a growing recognition that climate impacts are hitting harder and sooner than climate assessments
indicated even a decade ago
• Meeting the Paris Agreement requires immediate and all-inclusive action encompassing deep decarbonisation
complemented by ambitious policy measures, protection and enhancement of carbon sinks and biodiversity, and
effort to remove CO2 from the atmosphere
Global Framework for Climate Services
• Climate and early warning information services should underpin decision-making on climate action for adaptation
• The capacities of countries to deliver climate and early warning information services varies across regions