The UNEP worked with research institutions on its latest Production Gap Report, which identified that planned production by fossil-fuel-producing countries is 110 per cent above the levels that would curb temperature rises to 1.5°C. The 1.5°C target – rather than the maximum of 2°C above pre-industrial levels stated originally in the Paris Agreement – is considered critical for saving island nations and averting other catastrophic climate change impacts.
Scientists warn that the world is already experiencing worse extreme weather events at 1.2°C, and if temperatures rise above 1.5°C, the world faces significantly more heatwaves, rainstorms, droughts, lower crop yields, higher sea levels, greater reef destruction, and great economic losses.
Despite increased climate pledges from governments and businesses, the fossil fuel production 'gap' (between countries’ plans and what is necessary to curb this dangerous warming) has hardly shifted since the UN issued...