Why In News?

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) released the 17th edition of its annual climate assessment, titled Emissions Gap Report 2026: The Point of Return.

Key Highlights of the Emissions Gap Report 2026

The UNEP Emissions Gap Report 2026: The Point of Return assesses the gap between national greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction commitments and the decarbonisation pathways required under the Paris Agreement (2015)

  • Loss of Zero/Limited 1.5°C Overshoot Option: For the first time, UNEP explicitly declares that the window to hold global warming to 1.5°C with no or limited overshoot is officially closed due to decades of delayed mitigation.

  • New Benchmark (Lowest Possible Overshoot Scenario): International climate action must now focus on limiting peak warming to 1.7°C–1.8°C around mid-century and reclaiming a 1.5°C threshold by 2100 with a 50% probability.

  • Required Emissions Reduction Trajectory: To align with this lowest-overshoot pathway relative to 2025 baseline levels, global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions must fall by:

    • 18% by 2030

    • 45% by 2035

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    • 69% by 2040

    • Requires an average annual global emissions reduction rate of 5.7% between 2025 and 2035.

  • Massive Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) Mandate: Returning temperatures below 1.5°C by century-end requires permanently removing 320 gigatonnes of CO₂ from the atmosphere (equivalent to eight years of current global CO₂ emissions).

    • Temperature Projections Under Current Policies:Current Policies Continuing: Leads to approximately 2.8°C of warming by 2100.

    • Unconditional NDCs: Results in 2.6°C warming, cutting emissions by only 5%–8% by 2030 and 11%–15% by 2035.

    • All NDCs + Net-Zero Pledges: Limits warming to 2.1°C by the end of the century.

    • Global Emissions Baseline (2025):Global GHG emissions plateaued at 58.4 gigatons of CO₂ equivalent (Gt CO₂e) in 2025.

    • Fossil fuel CO₂ combustion continued rising, but overall emissions were masked by a 0.5 Gt CO₂e dip in LULUCF (Land Use, Land-Use Change, and Forestry) emissions due to lower global wildfire activity.

    • Role of Major Emitters:G20 economies (excluding the African Union) account for 76% of total global GHG emissions.

    • United States Paris Withdrawal: The revocation of US net-zero targets and climate commitments added 0.2°C–0.3°C to projected warming scenarios.

India’s Performance 

  • India emitted 4.5 billion tonnes of GHGs in 2025, making it the world's third-largest total emitter after China and the United States (US).

  • India's annual per capita emissions stood at 3.1 tonnes of CO₂e in 2025—less than half the global average of 6.4 tonnes, significantly below China's 11.4 tonnes, and nearly one-sixth of the US figure of 17.6 tonnes.

  • India's updated 2035 NDC targets commit to cutting GHG emissions intensity of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 47% below 2005 levels, achieving 60% non-fossil installed power capacity, and expanding forest cover to absorb an additional 3.5 to 4 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent.

  • UNEP confirms that India remains fully on track to achieve its 2030 NDC goals under current national policies and is poised to fulfill its 2035 NDC commitments.

Source: DOWNTOEARTH

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Which international organization annually publishes the "Emissions Gap Report"?

(a) World Meteorological Organization (WMO)

(b) Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)

(c) United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

(d) International Energy Agency (IEA)

Answer: (c)

Explanation: The Emissions Gap Report is published annually by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), tracking the gap between national climate pledges and scientific pathways required under the Paris Agreement.