UN Report: Global Warming Could Reach 2.5°C Despite New Climate Pledges
The UN warns global warming could reach 2.5°C this century despite new climate pledges, calling for urgent global action to meet the 1.5°C target.
UN Report Warns of Escalating Global Warming Threat
TheInterviewTimes.com | New Delhi | November 6, 2025 — The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has sounded a new alarm over global warming, warning that the world remains on course for dangerous temperature levels despite updated national climate pledges.
According to the latest Emissions Gap Report 2025, if all current commitments under the Paris Agreement are implemented, global temperatures could still rise by 2.3°C to 2.5°C above pre-industrial levels by the end of the century. Without stronger action, global warming may climb to around 2.8°C, pushing the planet beyond safe thresholds.
🔹 Key Points
- UNEP says global warming could reach 2.3°C–2.5°C by 2100 even with current pledges.
- Existing policies still lead to around 2.8°C of temperature rise.
- Greenhouse gas emissions must fall by 55% by 2035 to stay within the 1.5°C goal.
- Developing countries face rising economic and ecological losses.
- UNEP calls for urgent fossil fuel phase-out and global climate finance reform.
Climate Promises Fall Short on Global Warming Targets
UNEP’s analysis shows that while some nations have strengthened their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), the overall impact on global warming projections is minimal. Roughly 0.1°C of improvement results from accounting adjustments rather than real emission cuts.
The report stresses that the 1.5°C global warming limit is now “likely to be exceeded temporarily” within the next decade. Such a rise would dramatically worsen heatwaves, floods, and wildfires, especially in regions least prepared to cope with climate shocks.
Must Read: Project Suncatcher: Google’s Bold Step Toward In-Space AI Computing
Emissions Cuts Urgently Needed to Curb Global Warming
To stay within the 1.5°C target, global greenhouse gas emissions must decline by 55% by 2035 compared with 2019 levels. Even to remain “well below 2°C,” the world needs a 35% reduction within the same period.
However, current national pledges will only achieve about a 12–15% decrease. UNEP warns that if the pace of emission cuts doesn’t accelerate immediately, global warming will reach irreversible levels, threatening ecosystems, economies, and human health.
Consequences of Unchecked Global Warming
The report underscores that the consequences of inaction are already visible:
- Rising emissions — up 2.3% in 2024 — are undermining previous gains.
- Extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and severe.
- Economic losses from global warming could surpass $300 billion annually by 2030.
- Biodiversity collapse is accelerating, with coral reefs and Arctic systems under grave threat.
UNEP emphasizes that slowing global warming requires a global commitment to clean energy, energy efficiency, and sustainable land use — along with climate justice for developing countries.
Developing Nations Bear Unequal Burden
Countries such as India, Bangladesh, and many in Africa and Latin America face disproportionate risks from global warming despite contributing the least to emissions.
These nations endure more severe droughts, floods, and heatwaves, yet often lack the financial resources to adapt. UNEP urges developed economies to deliver on the $100 billion annual climate finance promise and help build resilience in vulnerable regions.
Without inclusive global cooperation, the report warns, climate inequality will deepen, further destabilizing economies and societies.
A Call for Bold Global Action
UNEP insists that the 1.5°C target is still technically achievable, but only through decisive action now. The report calls for:
- Rapid phase-out of fossil fuels and massive investment in renewable energy.
- Implementation of climate pledges without delay.
- Expansion of carbon pricing and incentives for green industries.
- Support for adaptation and resilience in vulnerable economies.
UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen emphasized: “Every tenth of a degree counts. The longer we delay, the harder it becomes to recover from the impacts of global warming.”
Must Read: Cassowary Bird: Facts, Habitat, and Why It’s Called the World’s Most Dangerous Bird
Conclusion: The Decisive Decade for Global Warming Action
The UNEP’s findings leave no doubt — despite progress on paper, global warming remains the defining crisis of our time. Current pledges and policies are insufficient to prevent catastrophic temperature rise.
If governments, corporations, and citizens act now — with stronger emission cuts, equitable climate finance, and cleaner technologies — there is still hope to limit global warming and secure a sustainable future for generations to come.