UN Climate Change News, 18 September 2019 - The Paris Agreement faces its first major test in 2020 against the backdrop of a worrying growth in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions since the adoption of the landmark agreement in 2015. Promising signs of ambition are emerging from all corners of the globe, but far more is needed to limit emissions and adapt to the worsening impacts of climate change. Most governments are currently prioritizing one of two complementary approaches for addressing climatechange in the lead-up to 2020.

This is according to a joint analysis by UNDP and UNFCCC, dubbed “The Heat Is On - Taking Stock of Global Climate Ambition" - which takes the world’s pulse on ambition and provides the most comprehensive review to date of intentions for 2020. Some are revising climate plans previously submitted under the Paris Agreement that stretch until 2025 or 2030, while others are preparing longer-term strategies to decarbonize their economies.

Launching the report today in New York, Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed said it would help us to understand whether world leaders address the Climate Summit with "concrete plans, not speeches," as is the Secretary-General’s call.

UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner acknowledged that half of the world's population is engaged in a proactive transformation of their economies to low-carbon, but urged: “We need to talk less, and we need to act more.”

Read the report here. 

See the relevant UN News story with more quotes here.