23 February 2010: The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) has released a new greenhouse gas (GHG) modeling study it compiled, based on the estimates of researchers at nine leading centres. The study concludes that countries will have to make more ambitious GHG emission reduction pledges if global temperature rise is to be curbed at 2ºC or less.
The information note, titled “How Close Are We to the Two Degree Limit?,” was launched on the eve of UNEP’s Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum (GC/GMEF), which is taking place in Bali, Indonesia, from 24-26 February 2010. The note presents the results of a study that has analyzed the pledges of 60 developed and developing countries submitted to the UNFCCC Secretariat following the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference. It was prepared by the Chief Scientists Office, UNEP, in conjunction with representatives from nine scientific groups.
UNEP has also released its Year Book for 2010, which highlights the opportunities ranging from accelerating clean technology and renewable energy enterprises to the climate, social and economic benefits of investing in terrestrial and marine ecosystems. The Year Book examines: progress in environmental governance; the effects of continuing degradation and loss of the world’s ecosystems; impacts of climate change; how harmful substances and hazardous waste affect human health and the environment; environmentally-related disasters and conflicts; and unsustainable use of resources. It includes a section on reduced emissions from deforestation and forest degradation from developing countries (REDD) and renewables. [UNEP Press Release] [The Information Note] [UNEP Year Book 2010]