The Global Stocktake (GST) Report Is A Warning To The World

Ahead of COP 28 to be held in Dubai between 30 November to 12 December ,the United Nations released their annual report -The Global Stocktake( GST). The report is a dire warning to the world about the urgency of responding to the climate crisis. It says that the climate action taken globally is not enough to stop global warming within 1.5 degrees.

Much more is needed now. The window for this is closing shortly. Now is the time to rapidly accelerate action and support to make progress in this critical decade. Reaching net zero emissions by or around mid-century and implementing concurrent transformative adaptation requires broad and rapid changes in existing practices. Carefully designed climate action can generate significant benefits and can help to minimize disruptions.

Clearly the current global emissions are inadequate and not sufficient for the global mitigation pathways consistent with the temperature goal of the Paris Agreement .The aggregate impact of the existing Nationally Determined Contributions, or NDCs is not good enough to limit the global warming within 1.5 degree.NDCs are countries’ self-defined national climate pledges under the Paris Agreement, detailing what they will do to help meet the global goal to pursue 1.5°C, adapt to climate impacts and ensure sufficient finance to support these efforts.

While indicating that policy and finance actions have fallen short of what is required to manage climate change, the report also provides hope and possibilities of addressing adverse effects of climate change. All countries have acted through The possibility of managing global temperature increase is also borne out by climate scenario projections which have tapered down. There is a need to raise the ambition and decarbonization of all economic sectors globally.

This report of the first global stocktake is based on inputs received throughout the process and discussions held during each of the three meetings of the technical dialogue and serves as an overarching and factual resource that provides a comprehensive overview of discussions held during the technical dialogue, identifying key areas for further action to bridge gaps and addressing challenges and barriers in the implementation of the Paris Agreement. It provides an assessment of the collective progress towards achieving the purpose and long-term goals of the Paris Agreement and informs Parties about potential areas for updating and enhancing their action and support, as well as for enhancing international cooperation for climate action.

The Global Stocktake (GST) ?

The Global Stocktake is “the” most comprehensive assessment of global action on climate change to date, based on technical/scientific data + consultation with government experts, business leaders and civil society in the past 2 years.

It’s the result of extensive assessment of scientific data, inputs and consultation on the world’s response to climate change. It will give us an assessment of where we stand but also provide a roadmap for combatting the crisis through the 2020s.

Why does it matter?

The success of COP28 will be judged on the extent to which governments respond to the recommendations and warnings in the GST. Headline aspirations are not enough at this stage.

How will it work?

After the report is published at the start of September countries will have time to assess and meet to discuss contents. The initial report will inform high-level events and the decision text or declaration that countries are expected to adopt at COP28 on the way forward – with an “options paper” due ahead of the Dubai summit on 30november-12 December. South Africa environment minister Barbara Creecey and Denmark climate minister Dan Jorgensen have been tasked with leading GST consultations on behalf of the COP28 Presidency.

The writer of this article is Dr. Seema Javed, an environmentalist & a communications professional in the field of climate and energy