New UNEP report: forest protection and sustainable forestry are low-cost options with large emission reduction potentials

No more hot air 💨 … please!

In a new Emissions Gap Report 2024 published by UN Environment Programme (titled "No more hot air… please!"), the world is on a trajectory to overshoot global warming of 1.5°C within a few short years, unless nations deliver dramatically stronger ambition and action and up their nationally determined contributions (NDCs) targets.

To get on a least-cost pathway for 1.5°C, emissions must fall 42 per cent by 2030, compared with 2019 levels. For 2°C, emissions must fall 28 per cent by 2030. Looking out to 2035 – the next milestone after 2030 to be included in NDC targets – emissions must fall 57 per cent for 1.5°C and 37 per cent for 2°C.

The report states that the two critical shifts needed to change course are
(1) transforming the energy sector and (2) ramping up forest protection and sustainable forestry.

Source: UNEP

"In forestry, reduced deforestation, increased reforestation and improved forest management present readily available low-cost options with large emission reduction potentials of about 19 and 20 per cent of the total potential in 2030 and 2035, respectively."

Although the report is aimed at nations and governments, to achieve the mitigation potential, nations and the private sector have to work together to deliver strong action.

Link to the UNEP report.