UNEP Report Released: The Emissions Gap Report 2012

UNEP Report Released: The Emissions Gap Report 2012

by Taryn Rucinski

This month, the United Nations Environment Programme released a new report titled, The Emissions Gap Report 2012. The 62-page synthesis report which is available here, discusses the following:
 

About the Report

Two fundamental questions in the global climate negotiations include:

1. Will the pledges made by countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions be sufficient to achieve the 2.0 degree or 1.5 degree Celsius temperature limits by year 2020 or will there be a gap between the level of ambition that is needed and what is expected as a result of the pledges?   

     2.  If a gap exists, in what ways can it bridged?

Since 2010, UNEP has been convening scientists and experts to answer these questions through the development of the annual “emissions gap” report. The 2012 report provides the following information:

• An update of global greenhouse gas emission estimates, based on a number of different authoritative scientific sources;

• An overview of national emission levels, both current (2010) and projected (2020) consistent with current pledges and other commitments;

• An estimate of the level of global emissions consistent with the two degree target in 2020, 2030 and 2050;

• An update of the assessment of the "emissions gap" for 2020. 

• A review of selected examples of the rapid progress being made in different parts of the world to implement policies already leading to substantial emission reductions and how they can be scaled up and replicated in other countries, with the view to bridging the emissions gap.

Prior versions of the report are available below:
The Emissions Gap Report (2010).
Bridging the Emissions Gap Report (2011).