Comment on UNEP Emissions Gap Report 2016

Commenting on UNEP’s Emissions Gap Report 2016, released today, Richard Black, Director of the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU), said:

“UNEP’s report confirms that there has been remarkable acceleration towards a global low-carbon economy over the past year, but considerably more action is required if governments are to meet the target they set under the Paris Agreement.

“Current plans to cut greenhouse gas emissions are not enough to meet the Paris target of keeping global warming ‘well below’ 2 Celsius; but as UNEP makes clear, that picture can be changed through efficiency improvements across the transport, building and industry sectors, as well as channelling funds towards projects that help with reducing emissions and adapting to climate change.

“The old canard that growth requires high levels of carbon emissions is now irrevocably slain; in fact, this year the opposite has been confirmed by both the International Energy Agency and PwC, with the global economy growing and carbon emissions staying static. This confirms the view expressed ten years ago in the Stern Review that the low-carbon transition represents an economic opportunity, not a threat, and that foot-dragging in aligning policy with the Paris targets risks much greater costs in the future.”d