UN Warns of Impending Climate Crisis: Global Warming Could Exceed 3°C by 2100

United Nations report released Thursday warns that without stronger action on emissions, the world is on track for a 3.1°C (5.6°F) temperature rise above pre-industrial levels by 2100 — more than double the limit set by the Paris Agreement. This year’s Emissions Gap report compares nations’ climate pledges with the urgent cuts needed to curb dangerous warming.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described the situation as “teetering on a planetary tightrope,” calling for leaders to “bridge the emissions gap, or we plunge headlong into climate disaster.” The report highlighted that global greenhouse gas emissions hit a new high of 57.1 gigatonnes of CO₂ equivalent, increasing by 1.3% from 2022 to 2023.

Even under current pledges, temperatures could still rise by 2.6 to 2.8°C (4.7 to 5°F) by century’s end. The report recommends that nations cut annual emissions by 42% by 2030 and 57% by 2035 to keep warming below 1.5°C, a goal increasingly seen as challenging.

Anne Olhoff, the report’s chief scientific editor, noted that major economies have shown limited progress toward their 2030 climate targets. With the next UN climate summit, COP29, scheduled in Azerbaijan next month, leaders will discuss stronger action to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. The outcomes will inform each country’s updated emissions reduction strategies, due in February 2025.

Inger Andersen, head of the United Nations Environment Programme, emphasized the critical need for progress, urging nations to strengthen their commitments: “Every fraction of a degree avoided counts,” she stated.