Climate change undermines almost all sustainable development goals

Geneva, September 14, 2023 At the halfway point of the 2030 Agenda, the science is clear – the planet is far from on track to meet its climate goals. This undermines global efforts to address hunger, poverty and ill health, improve access to clean water, energy and many other aspects of sustainable development, according to a new multi-agency report coordinated by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).

At the halfway point of the 2030 Agenda, the science is clear – the planet is far from achieving its climate goals. This undermines global efforts to address hunger, poverty and ill health, improve access to clean water, energy and many other aspects of sustainable development, according to a new multi-agency report coordinated by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).

Only 15% of the Sustainable Development Goals are on track, says the United Nations United in science The report systematically examines the impact of climate change and extreme weather on the targets. It shows how weather, climate, and water science can advance goals such as food and water security, clean energy, improved health, sustainable oceans, and resilient cities.

The annual report brings together input and expertise from 18 organisations. It is being released ahead of the Sustainable Development Goals Summit and the Climate Ambition Summit at the UN General Assembly.

“2023 has shown abundantly that climate change is here. Record temperatures are scorching the Earth and warming the seas, with extreme weather wreaking havoc around the world. Although we know this is just the beginning, the global response is less At the same time, halfway towards the 2030 deadline for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, the world is woefully off track.

“Science is key to solutions. It is widely understood that weather, climate and water sciences provide the foundations for climate action. But it is not recognized how these sciences can advance progress on the Sustainable Development Goals across the board.

“At this pivotal moment in history, the halfway mark of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, the science community stands united in efforts to achieve prosperity for people and planet,” says WMO Secretary-General Professor Petteri Taalas.

“Pioneering scientific and technological advances, such as high-resolution climate modelling, artificial intelligence, and nowcasting, can catalyze transformation to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Achieving early warnings for all by 2027 will not only save lives and livelihoods, but will also help protect sustainable development.” .

The report shows, for example, how weather forecasts help boost food production and move closer to eliminating hunger. Integrating epidemiological and climate information helps understand and predict these climate-sensitive diseases. Early warning systems help reduce poverty by giving people the opportunity to prepare and limit the impact.

The need for science and solutions is more urgent than ever.

Between 1970 and 2021, nearly 12,000 disasters caused by extreme weather, climate and water events were reported, causing more than 2 million deaths and US$4.3 trillion in economic losses. More than 90% of these reported deaths and 60% of economic losses occurred in developing economies, undermining sustainable development.

Rising global temperatures have been accompanied by more extreme weather. The probability that the annual mean global near-surface temperature will temporarily exceed 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels for at least one of the next five years is 66% and increasing over time.

So far, progress has been very limited in reducing the 2030 emissions gap – the gap between the emissions cuts promised by countries and the emissions cuts needed to meet the temperature target set in the Paris Agreement. CO2 emissions from fossil fuels increased by 1% globally in 2022 compared to 2021, and preliminary estimates from January to June 2023 show a further increase of 0.3%.

To be on track to meet the Paris Agreement goals of limiting temperature rise to well below 2°C, preferably 1.5°C, global greenhouse gas emissions must be reduced by 30% and 45%, respectively, by 2030, with carbon dioxide (CO )₂) Emissions are approaching net zero by 2050. This will require broad, rapid and systemic transformations.

Some future changes in climate are unavoidable, and perhaps irreversible, but every fraction of a degree and a ton of carbon dioxide₂ The report says that it is important to limit global warming and achieve sustainable development goals.

“Science continues to show that we are not doing enough to reduce emissions and meet the Paris Agreement goals – as the world prepares for its first global stocktake at COP28, we must step up our ambition and action, and we must all do the following: United Environment: “The real work of transforming our economies through a just transition to a sustainable future for people and planet.”

For more information, please contact:

Claire Knowles, WMO Information Officer, Tel: +41 797 091 397