Predictably, No Progress on Global Emissions

EIGHT YEARS AFTER the Paris climate agreement, where do we stand on global emissions? The title of a new United Nations Environment Programme report sums the situation up: Broken Record: Temperatures hit new highs, yet world fails to cut emissions (again).

- Ronald Bailey

The Paris Agreement aims to hold the global average temperature increase to 2 degrees Celsius relative to preindustrial levels.

Consequently, the agreement recognizes "deep reductions in global emissions will be required in order to achieve the ultimate objective of the Convention." Each country issues its voluntary nationally determined contribution that outlines its plans and promises to address the problem of man-made climate change. The agreement noted that adding up the projected greenhouse gas emissions in all of the 2015 promises would result in 55 gigatons (billion metric tons) of emissions in 2030, a far higher level than would be required to meet the temperature goal.

Most countries underdelivered in setting their emissions goals. And why not? Their "commitments" are voluntary and there is no mechanism for enforcing them in any case.